UAE Citizens Join Calls To Boycott Businesses Over The Gaza Crisis

For many years, Haya Issa, an American expat of Palestinian-Jordanian ancestry, and her four kids have followed a similar weekend routine: they go to the neighborhood drive-through fast-food restaurant in UAE for a burger and milkshake. But during the past two weekends, things have been different. “We are boycotting brands that are openly supportive of the genocide in Gaza,” she stated. “And this list includes a lot of our favorite fast-food, beverage, and coffee brands. As a result, we have significantly altered our routine and behaviors.”

Haya is just one of the many citizens of the United Arab Emirates who have joined the worldwide movement to boycott companies that either financially support Israel or have pro-Israeli positions.

According to agencies, a number of Western businesses have been negatively impacted by the global boycott movement, which is particularly prevalent in Arab nations. The value of Seattle-based Starbucks Corporation has decreased by about $11 billion since the boycott calls started.

“We have been eating local and buying local,” Haya stated. “I don’t think being Palestinian is a prerequisite for understanding why it’s important to avoid products from companies who openly encourage or promote the kind of atrocities Israel is committing in Gaza. Even before the events of October 7, I had been boycotting specific businesses, but now I see that people all around the world are banding together to make their voices heard.”