Protesters close Beirut Starbucks branch

[DogPoundPup]

About one hundred demonstrators angry with Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip shut down a Starbucks store Tuesday, shouting anti-Israel slogans and causing customers inside to flee.

The protest in Beirut is the latest of a series of demonstrations across the Arab world since Israel launched its offensive, designed to stop Hamas rocket fire into Israel, on Dec. 27; more than 900 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting.

The protesters said they targeted the store because they claim that Howard Schultz, the company's CEO, chairman and president, donates money to the Israeli military. A spokeswoman for the Seattle, Washington-based conglomerate called accusations Starbucks supports Israel "false" and said the political preferences of one of its employees has no bearing on the company's policies.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090113/ap_on_bi_ge/ml_lebanon_gaza_starbucks_2

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

1. So the Jews control coffee now, too?

:eyes:

[sakabatou]

2. Let the "War on Coffee" begin!

[DogPoundPup]

8. Boycott the supporters of Zionist war criminals and racism

McDonald’s and Starbucks have yesterday announced that they will be donating all profits from now until Sunday to Israeli war. Also, the producers of Adam Sandler’s new movie Bed Time Stories will be donating their profits to THE Zionist entity of Israel.
Be informed, and let others know not to contribute and refuse to support these monsters that believe in killing innocent civilians.
Boycott McDonald’s and Starbucks. Also don’t take your kids to see a movie that promotes violence by association.
Together we can make a difference!
http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/call-to-action-boycott-boycott-boycott/

[oberliner]

10. What total BS - who believes this stuff?

It's amazing how quickly these ridiculous rumors fly through the internet.

Reposting this nonsense on DU isn't helpful.

Hopefully anyone with any common sense (or thirty seconds to spend fact-checking the bogus information) can see this garbage for the nonsense it is.

[DogPoundPup]

11. Total BS is the excuses the Israeli govt. is using to exterminate Gazans

n/t

[oberliner]

12. Starbucks and McDonalds are not donating all of their profits to Israel between now and Sunday

That's the BS I was talking about.

[DogPoundPup]

13. Sounds JUST LIKE THE BS Israel repeats over and over about the homemade rockets

doesn't it?

[oberliner]

14. Except that there actually have been rockets launched at Israel by Hamas

The UN Secretary General, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have all condemned the Hamas rocket attacks launched against Israel over the past few years.

Whereas the McDonalds/Starbucks thing is just made up.

[DogPoundPup]

16. hmmm...and Israel has been in defiance of U.S. Resolutions for years

UN Resolutions Against Israel, 1955-1992

1. Resolution 106: "...‘condemns’ Israel for Gaza raid"

2. Resolution 111: "...‘condemns’ Israel for raid on Syria that killed fifty-six people"

3. Resolution 127: "...‘recommends’ Israel suspend its ‘no-man’s zone’ in Jerusalem"

4. Resolution 162: "...‘urges’ Israel to comply with UN decisions"

5. Resolution 171: "...determines flagrant violations’ by Israel in its attack on Syria"

6. Resolution 228: "...‘censures’ Israel for its attack on Samu in the West Bank, then under Jordanian control"

7. Resolution 237: "...‘urges’ Israel to allow return of new 1967 Palestinian refugees"

8. Resolution 248: "...‘condemns’ Israel for its massive attack on Karameh in Jordan"

9. Resolution 250: "...‘calls’ on Israel to refrain from holding military parade in Jerusalem"

10. Resolution 251: "...‘deeply deplores’ Israeli military parade in Jerusalem in defiance of Resolution 250"

11. Resolution 252: "...‘declares invalid’ Israel’s acts to unify Jerusalem as Jewish capital"

12. Resolution 256: "...‘condemns’ Israeli raids on Jordan as ‘flagrant violation"

13. Resolution 259: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s refusal to accept UN mission to probe occupation"

14. Resolution 262: "...‘condemns’ Israel for attack on Beirut airport"

15. Resolution 265: "...‘condemns’ Israel for air attacks for Salt in Jordan"

16. Resolution 267: "...‘censures’ Israel for administrative acts to change the status of Jerusalem"

17. Resolution 270: "...‘condemns’ Israel for air attacks on villages in southern Lebanon"

18. Resolution 271: "...‘condemns’ Israel’s failure to obey UN resolutions on Jerusalem"

19. Resolution 279: "...‘demands’ withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon"

20. Resolution 280: "....‘condemns’ Israeli’s attacks against Lebanon"

21. Resolution 285: "...‘demands’ immediate Israeli withdrawal form Lebanon"

22. Resolution 298: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s changing of the status of Jerusalem"

23. Resolution 313: "...‘demands’ that Israel stop attacks against Lebanon"

24. Resolution 316: "...‘condemns’ Israel for repeated attacks on Lebanon"

25. Resolution 317: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s refusal to release Arabs abducted in Lebanon"

26. Resolution 332: "...‘condemns’ Israel’s repeated attacks against Lebanon"

27. Resolution 337: "...‘condemns’ Israel for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty"

28. Resolution 347: "...‘condemns’ Israeli attacks on Lebanon"

29. Resolution 425: "...‘calls’ on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon"

30. Resolution 427: "...‘calls’ on Israel to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon’

31. Resolution 444: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s lack of cooperation with UN peacekeeping forces"

32. Resolution 446: "...‘determines’ that Israeli settlements are a ‘serious obstruction’ to peace and calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention"

33. Resolution 450: "...‘calls’ on Israel to stop attacking Lebanon"

34. Resolution 452: "...‘calls’ on Israel to cease building settlements in occupied territories"

35. Resolution 465: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s settlements and asks all member states not to assist Israel’s settlements program"

36. Resolution 467: "...‘strongly deplores’ Israel’s military intervention in Lebanon"

37. Resolution 468: "...‘calls’ on Israel to rescind illegal expulsions of two Palestinian mayors and a judge and to facilitate their return"

38. Resolution 469: "...‘strongly deplores’ Israel’s failure to observe the council’s order not to deport Palestinians"

39. Resolution 471: "...‘expresses deep concern’ at Israel’s failure to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention"

40. Resolution 476: "...‘reiterates’ that Israel’s claims to Jerusalem are ‘null and void’

41. Resolution 478: "...‘censures (Israel) in the strongest terms’ for its claim to Jerusalem in its ‘Basic Law’

42. Resolution 484: "...‘declares it imperative’ that Israel re-admit two deported Palestinian mayors"

43. Resolution 487: "...‘strongly condemns’ Israel for its attack on Iraq’s nuclear facility"

44. Resolution 497: "...‘decides’ that Israel’s annexation of Syria’s Golan Heights is ‘null and void’ and demands that Israel rescind its decision forthwith"

45. Resolution 498: "...‘calls’ on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon"

46. Resolution 501: "...‘calls’ on Israel to stop attacks against Lebanon and withdraw its troops"

47. Resolution 509: "...‘demands’ that Israel withdraw its forces forthwith and unconditionally from Lebanon"

48. Resolution 515: "...‘demands’ that Israel lift its siege of Beirut and allow food supplies to be brought in"

49. Resolution 517: "...‘censures’ Israel for failing to obey UN resolutions and demands that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon"

50. Resolution 518: "...‘demands’ that Israel cooperate fully with UN forces in Lebanon"

51. Resolution 520: "...‘condemns’ Israel’s attack into West Beirut"

52. Resolution 573: "...‘condemns’ Israel ‘vigorously’ for bombing Tunisia in attack on PLO headquarters

53. Resolution 587: "...‘takes note’ of previous calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and urges all parties to withdraw"

54. Resolution 592: "...‘strongly deplores’ the killing of Palestinian students at Bir Zeit University by Israeli troops"

55. Resolution 605: "...‘strongly deplores’ Israel’s policies and practices denying the human rights of Palestinians

56. Resolution 607: "...‘calls’ on Israel not to deport Palestinians and strongly requests it to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention

57. Resolution 608: "...‘deeply regrets’ that Israel has defied the United Nations and deported Palestinian civilians"

58. Resolution 636: "...‘deeply regrets’ Israeli deportation of Palestinian civilians

59. Resolution 641: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s continuing deportation of Palestinians

60. Resolution 672: "...‘condemns’ Israel for violence against Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount

61. Resolution 673: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s refusal to cooperate with the United Nations

62. Resolution 681: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s resumption of the deportation of Palestinians

63. Resolution 694: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s deportation of Palestinians and calls on it to ensure their safe and immediate return

64. Resolution 726: "...‘strongly condemns’ Israel’s deportation of Palestinians

65. Resolution 799: "...‘strongly condemns’ Israel’s deportation of 413 Palestinians and calls for their immediate return.

[oberliner]

17. You can't be "in defiance" of a UN resolution that deplores or condemns an action

Most of these resolutions are condemnations of Israel for actions they took 20 years ago or more (like destroying the Iraqi nuclear facility or having troops in Lebanon, or attacking the old PLO headquarters in Tunisia).

In any case, I just wanted to encourage you not to spread a false internet rumor about Starbucks and McDonalds.

[Shaktimaan]

19. "Be informed..." LOL!! The following is actually from the link you provided.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/01/11/63968.html

Targeted businesses deny alleged links to Israel
Rumors fuel calls for US boycott over Gaza
DUBAI (Courtney C. Radsch)

<snip>

“The messages about McDonald’s giving its revenues to Israel until next Saturday do not originate from, and are not affiliated with, McDonald’s. This is completely false and appears to be nothing more than a rumor or hoax,” Tara Handy, senior manager of Corporate Media Relations for McDonald’s said in a statement to AlArabiya.net.

On Saturday protesters in the French city of Nice smashed the windows of a McDonald’s restaurant. On Friday protesters in Venezuela burned a U.S. flag in front of a McDonalds in the capital of Caracas.

Starbucks posted a statement on its website to combat the persistent rumors about the company and its CEO’s support for Israel.

“Rumors that Starbucks Coffee Company and its management support Israel are unequivocally false. Starbucks is a non-political organization and we do not support any political causes anywhere in the world,” it said.

Starbucks has sought to debunk rumors alleging a link between its CEO Howard Schultz and the Israeli Armed Forces as far back as 2006, though the rumor has resurfaced during the most recent conflict.

“Whenever there is tension in the region most U.S. headquartered organizations, they are targets,” said Rana Shaheen, communications manager for Starbucks Middle East. “Along with Starbucks you have McDonalds, Coke, the list is never ending.”

“These rumors may have originated because the CEO happens to be a Jew,” she told AlArabiya.net, but underscored that Starbucks itself does not have a political agenda. “The political views of any employee at any level – and the chain of command is very long – has no bearing whatsoever on the company brand.”

She noted that the heads of several major American companies happen to be Jewish so they become targets during periods of conflict.

Shaheen said Starbucks will be launching a Middle East website next month to help correct such disinformation campaigns.

A boycott of Danish products last year and in 2006 in retaliation for the publication of offensive cartoons dealt a significant blow to the profits companies with a significant presence in the Middle East.

Whether the proposed boycotts would have the intended economic effect on the U.S., however, was unclear, since as several companies pointed out they hire local workers and support the local economy.

“Given the local nature of our business, we believe that calls for boycotts of our products are not the appropriate way to further any causes, as they primarily hurt the local economy, local businesses and local citizens,” Kadri Taib, Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs and communications director, said in a statement.

[cali]

20. ooh, you're spreading more bizarre, false rumors. What a shock.

not. There is evidently no truth whatsoever to what you just posted. Your propensity for posting inflammatory shit continues unabated.
<snip>
Last weekend, for example, text messages were distributed among many Arab cell phone subscribers, calling on them to boycott American companies. The messages stated that McDonald's and Starbucks were planning to donate their weekly profits to Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

The rumors were so widespread that a McDonald's representative in the Arab world was forced to issue a press release denying the accusation.

The Starbucks coffee company, which operates many stores in the Arab world, especially in the Persian Gulf, also issued a statement denying the message, and also denied rumors that the company's Jewish CEO Howard Schultz expressed support for the military operation in Gaza.

Similar rumors about Shultz were spread during the Second Lebanon War, sparking a greater row than the present one. Starbucks had denied the reports at the time as well.
<snip>
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3655792,00.html

[HeraldSquare212]

3. Headline: Starbucks says it does not support Israel.

[HeraldSquare212]

4. Although, frankly, I knew that when I saw them selling the "Christmas Blend" over the holidays.

[DogPoundPup]

5. Then why was Schultz presented this?

Howard Schultz presented with "The Israel 50th Anniversary Tribute Award" - The Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah - August 27, 1998

http://web.archive.org/web/20010502093522/www.starbucks.com/aboutus/recognition.asp?cookie_test=1

[Shaktimaan]

18. Seriously, you really will believe anything you hear, won't you?

And THIS is your proof that Starbucks and McDonalds will be donating all of their profits for almost a week to "the Israeli War?"
An award for some unidentified category that a Jewish organization once gave to the CEO of Stabucks 10 years ago. Oh, well then... it MUST be true! :sarcasm:

The fact that there are people out there who believe this kind of stuff at face value is just mind-mending to me.

Your hatred of Israel is great enough to defy any degree of logic.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. They better lay off the caffeine.... seems to rattle them. n/t

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GoesTo11]

9. Haven't they suffered enough? Are they going to have stale Maxwell House now?

Er, maybe not Maxwell house.

[Alamuti Lotus]

15. Not a bad idea..

Not necessarily for their real or imagined support of Israel, mind you, they're just evil on their own.