McDonald’s criticised for giving free meals to Israeli soldiers: report

Jerusalem: Fast food-chain McDonald’s is facing widespread criticism for providing free meals to Israeli soldiers amid raging war in the region.

McDonald's Israel announced on Instagram that it plans to donate thousands of meals every day to soldiers in the field, while saying that on Saturday the company distributed 4000 meals to hospitals and military units, NDTV reported citing Newsweek.

‘Update that already yesterday we donated 4000 meals to hospitals and military units, we intend to donate thousands of meals every day to soldiers in the field and in drafting areas, and this is beyond a discount to soldiers coming to restaurants. We opened 5 restaurants that were open only for this purpose,’ it was quoted.

Many users flayed the fast food-chain’s food donations to Israeli troops with one user calling for boycotting McDonalds for ‘Supporting companies that are involved in conflicts is wrong, especially when it comes to the loss of innocent lives.’

Another person said that all Muslims around the globe should boycott the company if it donated free meals to Israeli Defense Force( IDF), not those suffering in Gaza.

However, McDonald’s received support with one user congratulating the company, saying ‘Well done McDonald's Israel.’

Following its food donations to Israeli troops, there erupted protests in Lebanon against the company with Palestinians groups attacking its outlet in Spinneys, Sidon.

Following the protest, McDonald's Lebanon stated, ‘McDonald's Lebanon affirms that the position of other franchisees in other countries and territories does not represent the views or positions of McDonald's Lebanon in any way and McDonald's Lebanon is not involved whatsoever in the actions taken in other markets outside of Lebanon. We are committed to our nation and its people with the utmost respect and solidarity.’

Meanwhile, McDonald’s Oman came out to support Gaza on Saturday saying it has donated $10,000 to the relief efforts for people in Gaza.

McDonald's UAE stated on social media that it was "deeply saddened by the events in the region" and announced it donated AED 1 Million to Emirates Red Crescent for its "Tarahum for Gaza" campaign.

McDonald's Kuwait reportedly donated $250,000 to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society for relief efforts in Gaza.