Arab activists today began their protests aimed at highlighting how brands including Burger King, Coca-Cola and Nestle share pro-Israeli sentiments, and encouraging consumers to boycott the companies' products.
Activists are expected to begin their campaign today by distributing leaflets outside the four main Starbucks outlets in Beirut, in an attempt to draw attention to the fact that the chain's chief executive John Schulz is accused of being pro-Israeli.
Protesters accuse Schulz of making pro-Israeli comments. He is reported to have said that the occupied Palestinian territories should be described only as "disputed" territory. He also criticised the Palestinians for "inaction", saying that they were not doing their job to help stop terrorism.
However, the protesters -- mainly Palestinians and Muslims from Ein Shams University in Egypt and the American University in Cairo -- are also set to widen their campaign, by drawing attention to the activities of other global brands.
The pressure groups are targeting the brands for a number of different reasons. Burger King upset Arab groups when it opened a store in an illegal Jewish settlement on the occupied West Bank, while Nestle bought a controlling share in the Israeli firm Osem.
Meanwhile Coca-Cola, which has a plant in Lebanon, is trying to deflect criticism by pointing out that it does not manufacture its drinks in Israel and only sells imported bottles of its products, including Fanta and Sprite, in the Jewish state.
Other companies believed to be on the list include AOL Time Warner, Disney, Estee Lauder, Nokia, Revlon, Marks & Spencer, Selfridges and IBM.
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