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Boycotts have long been a tool for raising awareness and expressing solidarity during moments of political and humanitarian crises. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war since 2023 has reignited global calls for boycotts of companies that have allegedly shown support to Israel or are seen as indirectly supporting its policies.
These companies include many reputable brands like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Nestle and so many others. One of the brands under scrutiny is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), a globally renowned fast-food chain.
While not officially on the boycott list of the BDS movement, KFC has faced backlash from pro-Palestinian advocates who believe the brand’s operations in Israel contribute to the conflict.
Today, we will discuss whether boycotting KFC is the right thing to do when showing support for the Palestinian cause and what its implications are.
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The BDS Movement stands for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, a global, Palestinian-led campaign advocating for non-violent pressure on Israel to respect Palestinian rights under international law. The movement was launched in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian civil society organisations and has gained widespread international support. It takes inspiration from South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Key Goals of the BDS Movement:
1. End the Israeli Occupation: The movement calls for Israel to end its occupation and colonisation of all Arab lands occupied in 1967, including the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
2. Equal Rights for Palestinians: It demands that Israel recognise and uphold the full rights of Palestinian citizens within Israel, ensuring equality and ending discriminatory practices.
3. Right of Return for Refugees: The movement seeks justice for Palestinian refugees by advocating for their right to return to the homes they were forced to leave, as outlined in UN Resolution 194.
The movement calls for the boycott of certain companies and organisations that have heavily invested in Israel and are directly profiting from its economy. However, keep in mind that the KFC boycott is not part of this movement.
This boycott began picking up trend after the start of 2023 Israel-Gaza war when the activists urged the boycott of any company that operates in Israel and has shown some support, whether financially or publicly, through their actions.
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The primary reason for the boycott of KFC lies in its franchise operations in Israel. Critics argue that companies operating in Israel contribute to its economy, indirectly supporting its government and military actions in Palestine. Pro-Palestinian advocates claim that KFC’s presence in Israel, like other multinational companies, helps sustain economic systems that enable the occupation of Palestinian territories.
KFC operates through a franchise model, meaning local franchisees own and manage outlets in specific regions. In Israel, these franchises generate revenue that may contribute to taxes used by the Israeli government. While KFC’s parent company, Yum Brands, does not directly support any government, activists argue that operating in Israel makes the brand complicit in the broader conflict.
People believe that boycotting companies such as these could hurt their revenue and overall profits, which in turn could force them to close their operations in Israel. This would negatively impact the country’s economy and force them to stop the war in Gaza and listen to the demands of the Palestinians.
Many companies have done this already, like Starbucks and Subway, whose franchises do not operate in Israel anymore, citing the risk of war and instability.
The call to boycott KFC has had a substantial effect on the company's profits and overall revenue in Muslim-majority countries that sympathise with the Palestinian cause.
In Malaysia, for instance, KFC closed numerous outlets due to the boycott's effects. QSR Brands Holdings Bhd, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants in the country, announced it had temporarily closed the outlets to “control rising costs and concentrate on high engagement trade zones.”
Similarly, in Indonesia, the boycott significantly hurt the brand's profits as pro-Palestinian supporters pushed for solidarity. In a report published a few months ago, Fast Food Indonesia, which owns KFC Indonesia, reported a loss of approximately 348.83 billion rupiah (US$21.5 million) in the first quarter of this year. This is 60 times more than the loss it suffered during the same period last year, when it lost 5.56 billion rupiah (US$343,825).
These examples highlight the financial impact such boycotts can have on multinational corporations when faced with widespread public backlash.
Deciding whether to boycott KFC is a personal choice for Muslims, influenced by their values and beliefs. Many see the boycott as a form of peaceful resistance, demonstrating solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Others believe that the boycott's effectiveness depends on whether it meaningfully impacts the companies or governments involved.
While boycotts alone may not resolve larger conflicts, they send a powerful message about public dissatisfaction with policies that harm Palestinian lives.
If you're seeking alternative food and clothing brands unassociated with Israel or any brands on the boycott list, explore Riwaya, the largest Islamic marketplace in the UK. At Riwaya, we conduct thorough background checks on all registered sellers to ensure they have no ties to Israel or any brands included in the boycott list.
There are a number of other ways you can support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank besides boycotting brands in a more meaningful way. Such as:
While boycotts of international brands and companies only focus on hurting Israel's economy and the financial sector, it does not do much for the Palestinians themselves, who have been suffering from Israel's war crimes and oppression for the past 76 years.
If you want to help and support the Palestinians financially and ensure their well-being, then
you can donate to organisations that provide aid to Palestinians. Here are some organisations that are delivering aid to Palestinians:
i. Islamic Relief Worldwide (islamic-relief.org)
ii. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) (map.org.uk)
iii. Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) (https://www.palestinercs.org/en)
iv. Save The Children (https://www.savethechildren.net/)
v. Doctors without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/)
Social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness about the Palestinian struggle and atrocities committed by the Israeli army in Gaza.
To support Palestinians, share credible news articles and facts about the Israel-Gaza war from reliable sources like Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, or Human Rights Watch. Put this news as a story on your profiles and ask your friends and other people in the inner circle to do the same. Use hashtags like #freepalestine, #standwithgaza, #savegaza, #palestina, #palestinewillbefree, #gazaunderattack and many more to amplify your posts.
Demanding action from governments and international organisations is another way to support Palestinians. You can:
i. Sign petitions advocating for Palestinian rights on platforms like Change.org or Avaaz.org.
ii. Write to your local representatives or members of parliament, urging them to speak out against the occupation and support human rights for Palestinians.
Attending rallies and protests in support of Palestine shows solidarity and raises public awareness. Many organisations also host webinars, panel discussions, and cultural events to highlight Palestinian issues.
Stay updated with groups like:
i. Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) (foa.org.uk)
ii. Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) (palestinecampaign.org)
Wear Palestinian shirts and hoodies while participating in these protests and events to send a clear message. You can buy such shirts and hoodies at the Riwaya Clothing Section. Check out and order one now.
55. Volunteer Your Time
If you have skills to offer, consider volunteering for organisations that support Palestinians like those we have mentioned. This can include fundraising, graphic design, translation, distributing aid, or even providing educational resources for children in refugee camps.
If someone wants to boycott KFC it’s their personal choice. Even though it is not officially on the BDS boycott or has given any statements which indicate its support for Israel. Many people often see boycotts as a way of peaceful protests to show their solidarity with Palestenians and to put pressure on the Israeli governments and other global powers to listen to their demands.
While boycotts alone may not resolve larger conflicts, they send a powerful message about public dissatisfaction with policies that harm Palestinian lives.
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