(Featured image from themalaysianinsider.com)
Last month, allegations spread online that fast-food giant McDonald’s funded Zionists in Israel because former McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Jack Greenberg was a Jew. However, the truth is that Jack Greenberg left McDonald’s more than 10 years ago and no longer functions as head of the US-based company.
Since the initial accusations until now, McDonald’s have been struggling with the issue. They’ve also tried fending off the rumour that they’re funding Israel against the Gaza conflict.
Source: themalaymailonline.com
In fact, on 11th July, McDonald’s Malaysia issued a statement on their Facebook page which read:
We wish to reiterate that McDonald’s does NOT channel any sales, profits or franchise fees from our restaurants to support ANY political causes or conflicts in any part of the world. There is absolutely no truth in any online allegations suggesting otherwise. Our core values dictate that we operate our business ethically and to the highest standards. This is a value that we uphold with utmost conviction. In Malaysia, we are proud to be part of the local community – providing opportunities for local franchisees and careers for 12,000 Malaysians, serving our customers with passion and respect, and actively supporting meaningful causes to enhance the lives of the needy.
But despite those efforts, they’re still facing heavy criticism. So heavy, Malay Mail Online reported that a group of protestors gathered outside a McDonald’s outlet in Dungun, Terengganu on Tuesday (5th August), throwing objects and rattling the doors of the restaurant.
Netizens have also dubbed this coming Friday (8th August) as “No McDonald’s Day” as part of a protest campaign. The said campaign was aimed at corporations or companies who allegedly help fund Israel. According to the campaign image, which went viral, the boycott will be carried out for 24 hours from 7am to 7pm. It will then continue until the Zionist regime in Palestine is entirely wiped out, apparently:
Source: Facebook
As at time of writing, there’s no information whatsoever of the said campaign’s organiser or the validity of the campaign. Hence, it could be just another online prank. But it seemed to have grown fiercer over the past 24 hours as some netizens are supportive of the boycott, with many rallying for more support via social media.
And if that wasn’t enough, McDonald’s fell into the grasp of another online hoax just hours after news of the “No McDonald’s Day” campaign surfaced.
An image conveying a message from the “McDonald’s Malaysia Management Team” was heavily circulated on Facebook, claiming that McDonald’s will give away free meals throughout Friday (8th August) aka “No McDonald’s Day”, to everyone who dines in or visits the drive-through of any McDonald’s outlets:
Source: Facebook
Again, McDonald’s Malaysia had to make another statement to diffuse the hot (but fake) news.
The company posted the following on their Facebook page on 5th August (Tuesday):
We would like to clarify that the notices on free McDonald’s food posted on Facebook were NOT issued by McDonald’s, and we are unable to honour it. It is a hoax produced by an irresponsible party. We would advise all customers to visit our official website at www.mcdonalds.com.my and McDonald’s Facebook page here to verify the authenticity of all promotions.
As such, we’d like to inform all netizens/Malaysians that there are certainly better ways to help the Israel Gaza conflict aside from boycotting and spreading hoaxes.
What’s happening there is horrific and heartbreaking, and we wish it didn’t have to befall upon anyone. If essentially, your cause is to help, why not play your part by visiting Viva Palestina Malaysia to find out what you can do to help? There’s also Candies4Gaza, which is a page dedicated to the children of Gaza. Got clothing and toys to donate? You know where to go and what to do.
A little help goes a long way, guys. Just remember that.