Islamic experts urge Muslims to avoid Israeli businesses due to Masjid Al Aqsa’s significance in Islamic history amid growing global conversations about boycotting Israeli items. The campaign to boycott Israeli goods or businesses that back Israel has gained international attention. It’s time for everyone to denounce the actions of companies that back Israel and boycott them.
Every Muslim may have used many of the well-known brands at least once.
However, every Muslim must boycott not just Israeli goods but also companies that support Israel, given the state of Muslim brethren and the storm that hit Masjid Al Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam.
Because they generate income, consumers can affect both political and economic decisions.
It is possible to view boycotting Israeli goods as a show of support for the Palestinian people.
As the Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said,
“If anyone sees anything wrong, one must try to stop it by hand, if not by the tongue, and even if that is not possible, one must think of that thing as evil in the heart.”
This means that, even though boycotting the brands that are used daily can be a difficult decision, it is necessary given the circumstances.
Top 19 food brands supporting Israel
Based on current data, the following list of well-known fast food companies supports Israel through their business practices, charitable contributions, or partnerships:
1. McDonald’s
More than 100,000 meals have been donated by the Israeli McDonald’s franchise to hospitals, locals, and Israeli security personnel. Since recent conflicts, they have also provided discounts to security staff and soldiers.
2. Burger King
To show support for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Burger King Israel has posted about packaging free food for Israeli military troops.
3. Pizza Hut
According to their Israeli Instagram account, Pizza Hut, which is owned by Yum Brands, has given free pizza to the Israeli military and invested in Israeli companies.
4. Starbucks
Despite not operating in Israel, Howard Schultz, the company‘s largest private shareholder, has demonstrated his economic support for Israel by investing $1.7 billion in an Israeli cybersecurity company.
5. Dominos
Domino’s Pizza does operate in Israel, and they are associated with supporting and donating to Israeli military personnel.
6. KFC
KFC is one of the fast food chains that supports Israel and operates in Israel as well.
7. Papa John’s
They are listed as a corporation that supports Israel and has investments and business associations.
8. Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s
The corporate family of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s is also reported to have commercial support for Israel.
9. Subway
Subway operates in Israel and is on the list of fast food chains that support Israel.
10. Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts
Most Israelis view Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts favorably since they find the companies commercially beneficial.
11. Nestlé
Nestle sells dairy, processed coffee, and nutritious food items and does business in Israel. Nestle works with Israeli companies and gives money to infrastructure in Israel.
12. Tropicana, Doritos and PepsiCo
With companies like Tropicana and Doritos, Pepsi owns a huge market share in Israel and invests in Israeli food technology companies.
13. Unilever
Unilever is very active in working with Israeli food technology companies to help promote commerce and advancement in the food industry.
14. Sabra Hummus
The Israeli company Sabra Hummus distributes hummus and other items worldwide; this is a joint venture with Israeli companies.
15. Tivall
A vegetarian food manufacturer based in Israel.
16. Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme stands as one of the companies that provides support to Israel through its Israeli operations.
17. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Through its commercial activities, Philadelphia Cream Cheese (owned by Mondelez) supports Israel.
18. Strauss Group
A significant Israeli food manufacturer with global alliances is the Strauss Group.
19. Sabra Dipping Company
Due to its co-ownership by Pepsico and Strauss Group, the food market leader Sabra Dipping Company continues to produce premium hummus products.
Top 14 clothing and cosmetics brands that support Israel
Various clothing product makers, together with cosmetics manufacturers, collaborate with Israel through commercial support. Majors support Israel by operating apparel and cosmetics businesses in the market.
1. Puma
The Israel Football Association (IFA) receives financial support from Puma, which is known for its multinational sportswear business operations, while actively endorsing Israeli backing through business partnerships.
2. Ralph Lauren
According to some reports, the brand supports Israel through public declarations and economic relationships.
3. Range Rover (Jaguar Land Rover)
The business participates in and provides sponsorship to Israeli tech and innovation initiatives, thereby showing its backing for these programs.
4. Volvo
Provided cars and equipment to the Israeli military in support of Israel.
5. Reebok
Reebok supports Israeli sports teams and players.
6. Nike
Through sponsorship agreements, Nike provides backing to both Israeli athletes and sports teams.
7. Adidas
The presence of Adidas in Israel has become a regular occurrence among lists of companies backing Israeli business ventures.
8. L’Oreal
Additionally, L’Oreal operates NYX, which establishes an Israeli presence by marketing its products in the market. L’Oreal maintains control of Maybelline as well as its related commercial Israel-promotion activities.
9. MAC
MAC functions as an Israeli enterprise within the Estée Lauder Group.
10. The Body Shop
Natura & Co acquired ownership of The Body Shop from L’Oreal, while some components of The Body Shop’s operations show support for Israeli activities.
11. Lancôme
Lancôme supports Israeli markets by conducting business activities alongside using technology from Israeli sources.
12. Neutrogena
Neutrogena functions under the L’Oreal parent firm to promote Israel through its business operations.
13. Revlon
Ronald Perelman demonstrates Israeli backing as he serves as the owner of Revlon.
14. Urban Decay
L’Oreal owns Urban Decay, which uses its commercial activities to assist Israel.
What impact does supporting Israel have on brand reputation
A brand that supports Israel faces intricate consequences for its reputation in addition to serious business risks that have become more prominent in sensitive political markets.
1. Boycotts and Consumer Backlash
Multiple boycott organizations target businesses they perceive as Israeli supporters more often than not when dealing with Muslim and Arab consumer audiences. Boycotting leads to the loss of customer trust, alongside unfavorable brand attributes and lowered public opinion of a corporate reputation. Muslim customers are evidence of growing campaigns targeting Israeli brands, together with Israeli-related companies, because of their moral objections and political stance, which will eventually influence brand loyalty and perception.
2. Reputational Damage
The public’s perception of companies that support Israel often shifts from neutral or favorable to unfavorable, causing skepticism about the ethics and quality of their products. Because boycott campaigns compile on top of existing unfavorable perceptions of certain brands, the harm to reputation could be permanent.
3. Social Media Amplification
Support and opposition are magnified on social media. Through the use of hashtags like #BoycottIsrael and #BDS, anti-Israel activists ask consumers to boycott Israeli-supporting companies, tying up a lot of bad news and pressure on companies to change their positions or models.
4. Impact on Market and Sales
Several businesses have claimed sales declines and missed goals as a result of boycotts connected to their alleged support for Israel. This is especially noticeable in economies with high levels of consumer involvement and frequent politically driven purchases.
5. Political and Social Risk
Particularly in areas that are pro-Palestine, backing Israel may result in rallies, marches, and calls for divestment. Businesses run the risk of offending sizable customer bases and running into legal or societal issues in these domains.
Final words
Many multinational companies throughout numerous sectors maintain alliances with Israel as they perform every type of commercial activity, including high-technology research, while producing manufactured products along with food items and consumer goods. Microsoft, along with Intel and Procter & Gamble, together with Nestlé and PepsiCo, maintains considerable economic relations with Israel because of its technological environment and geographic opportunities. The support network for Israel includes multiple organizations that make explicit or implicit monetary donations through matching employee financial contributions to Israeli military assistance programs.
However, in response to these ties, there have been widespread consumer boycotts targeting multinational brands perceived as supporting Israel, especially in the Middle East and Muslim-majority countries, which have led to notable declines in sales for some companies
