Pizza Hut, a well-known international pizza chain, is the latest to fall victim to calls for its boycott. #BoycottPizzaHut quickly became the trending topic on social media platforms online, all because of the brand’s Israeli franchises providing free meals to military bases in the country. Here’s all we know about the situation so far.
Other people online have also stood against the boycott, calling it silly to blacklist a food-delivery chain because of personal political views, even launching the hashtag SupportPizzaHut.
People in support of the Jewish state in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, in particular, continue to stand behind the brand.
However, it is interesting to note that this is not the first time that the pizza chain has faced calls for a boycott.
It had faced a similar situation after a controversial advert posted by its Israeli branch that drew widespread criticism. The advert, perceived as mocking Palestinian hunger strikers, triggered calls for social media-driven boycotts and received widespread condemnation.
Yum Brands, known for global restaurant chains like KFC and Pizza Hut, had extended its reach into Israeli startups, sparking debates around ethical considerations within geopolitical contexts. Pizza Hut’s presence in an occupied East Jerusalem colony co-owned by Africa Israel Group, known for building settlements in Palestinian territories, had also raised ethical concerns in the past.
Yum Brands’ investment in Israeli startups showcases its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurial ventures. However, this association also raised crucial questions about corporate entities getting involved in regions marked by geopolitical conflicts, marking a difficult and delicate balance for brands to maintain in the long run.
