Starbucks in the Arab world is just like McDonalds in France , a target for protests and boycotts. Despite the denial of Starbucks mother company in the States , the rumors about the donations of its founder to the IDF is still alive making from Starbucks a symbol of Zionism in the Arab countries.
Starbucks chain as you know began to spread in Egypt after years of hesitation due to market status and also political issues , its considerable small number of branches kept away from criticism but not for so long because just from couple of days ago Egypt has witnessed the first Starbucks' protest !!
Egyptian and foreign activists protested in front of Starbucks café near Shooting club. It was bold successful action which unfortunately that was covered as it should in the Egyptian media but of course it does not matter as I am here.
Photos by Sarah Carr and Mostafa Hussein
Of course I wonder what would happen if it were all Egyptians protest !!??
Last year protesters in Beirut led the café to be closed for a day during the Gaza war.
By the way most people do not know that Starbucks café closed all its branches in Israel in 2003 due to operational decisions and this decision resulted in rumors that due to political issues Starbucks took the side of the Arabs !!!