Malaysia’s McDonald’s sues Israel boycott movement for $1 million in damages By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of the McDonald’s Corp fast food chain is on display in Pekan town, Malaysia, May 4, 2013. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – McDonald’s (NYSE:) Malaysia is suing a movement promoting boycotts of Israel for 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million) over “false and defamatory statements” it says have harmed its business. A lawsuit was filed seeking damages amounting to

Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, is a staunch supporter of Palestine, and like other Muslim-majority countries, some Western fast food brands in the country have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s offensive on Gaza.

Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GAR), the licensee of McDonald’s in Malaysia, has sued the Malaysian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement over a series of social media posts purportedly linking the fast food franchise to other companies. Israel’s “genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”.

According to a December 19 summons seen by Reuters, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants alleged that BDS Malaysia incited the public to boycott McDonald’s Malaysia, which resulted in its closure and curtailed operations, resulting in loss of profits and job cuts. . Opening hours.

McDonald’s Malaysia said in a statement on Friday that it had filed the lawsuit against BDS Malaysia to protect its rights and interests.

In response, BDS Malaysia “unequivocally denied” the fast food company’s defamation and said it would leave the matter to the courts.

The BDS movement aims to end international support for Israel’s “oppression of Palestine” and pressure Israel to comply with international law.

(1 dollar = 4.5900 ringgit)