Kuwait — Starbucks Middle East has officially debunked rumors circulating on social media regarding the company’s alleged funding of the Israeli Army.
In a statement released by Starbucks Kuwait, the company clarified that it remains a non-political organization and does not provide any financial support to the Israeli government or the Israeli Army.
The statement also emphasized that former chairman, president, and CEO Howard Schultz is not involved in any such funding activities.
The statement from Starbucks Middle East addressed several challenging questions that had been raised by the public. It categorically denied the claim that Starbucks or Howard Schultz offers financial assistance to Israel, emphasizing that these rumors are unequivocally false. As a publicly held company, Starbucks is obligated to disclose its corporate giving each year through a proxy statement.
Furthermore, Starbucks clarified that it has never sent any of its profits to the Israeli government or the Israeli Army, refuting the baseless allegation.
Responding to the claim that Starbucks closed its stores in Israel for political reasons, the company clarified that business decisions are not made based on political issues. Starbucks dissolved its partnership in Israel in 2003 due to ongoing operational challenges faced in that market.
The decision was reached after extensive discussions with their partner, and both parties mutually agreed to part ways. Despite the difficulty of the decision, Starbucks maintains that it was the right choice for their businesses.
Regarding operations in the Middle East, Starbucks operates through a licensing agreement with MH Alshaya Co. WLL, a prominent Kuwaiti family business. Alshaya Group, recognized as a leading brand franchise enterprise in the region, has successfully operated over 1,900 Starbucks stores across North Africa, the Middle East, Türkiye, and Central Asia since 1999.
Starbucks expressed gratitude for its longstanding partnership with Alshaya Group and looks forward to continuing their successful collaboration.
The clarification from Starbucks Middle-East aims to address the spread of false information and provide accurate details regarding the company’s stance on political involvement and financial support. The statement serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before accepting it as true, particularly in the era of social media where misinformation can quickly gain traction.
Starbucks Middle East remains committed to its core values and maintaining a non-political position, focusing on providing quality products and services to its customers in the region.
