A McDonald's location in the Middle East is offering discounted prices for some items amid calls to boycott the franchise's location in Israel over support for Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The McDonald's Pakistan website shows several items being sold for discounted prices such as milk shakes, ice cream cones, sundaes, McFlurrys, sandwiches and chicken nuggets. The website shows prices for some items discounted by 350 Indian rupees while other items have price discounts ranging from 50 to 100 rupees.
Many social media users called for a boycott of McDonald's Israel after the fast-food chain posted images on social media showing that it was giving away free or discounted food to IDF soldiers amid Israel's war with the Hamas militant group.
The deadliest flare-up in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Israeli officials say about 1,200 people were killed in Israel and about 242 taken hostage. Officials in Gaza estimate that more than 14,500 have been killed in the Hamas-run territory since the war began. More than 1.7 million people have been displaced in Gaza. About 170 people are still held hostage in Gaza after hostage-for-prisoner exchanges during an ongoing cease-fire.
"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," McDonald's Israel wrote in an Instagram post last month.
Shortly after the post, social media users criticized McDonald's Israel, with many in Pakistan calling for a boycott of the franchise.
"Dear Pakistan, Let's BOYCOTT McDonalds. Spread as much as you can," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another user said: "All McDonalds outlets in Pakistan must be picketed in support of Palestine."
However, amid calls for a boycott, many McDonald's locations in the Middle East issued statements distancing themselves from the decision made by McDonald's Israel.
"McDonald's Pakistan is not involved in any political or religious conflicts in any country," McDonald's Pakistan said in a recent social media post, which also explained that it is not affiliated with McDonald's Israel. "However, we are deeply concerned and empathic towards the humanitarian crisis arising from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have expressed our support for the people of Palestine, especially those in Gaza, through our contributions to the Edu Foundation for relief work and continue to explore ways to extend our support."
Other McDonald's locations in the Middle East, such as in Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia, issued similar statements showing support for Gaza and stating that they are not affiliated with McDonald's Israel.
Michael Seid, a managing director at the franchise consulting firm MSA Worldwide, previously explained to Newsweek that McDonald's is "an independently owned and operated business and the franchisee has the flexibility to do a lot of things," meaning that each location has the ability to support causes it sides with.
In a statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for McDonald's said: "We are dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East. McDonald's Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, and any actions from our local Developmental Licensee business partners were made independently without McDonald's consent or approval.
"Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone. We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our people in the region while supporting the communities where we operate."
Newsweek reached out to McDonald's Pakistan via its website for comment.
Update 11/28/23, 10:20 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with a statement from McDonald's.
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