McDonald’s South Africa Clarifies Nation-oriented Operations Amid Calls for Boycotts Tied to Israel

McDonald's South Africa (SA) has officially announced its separation from McDonald's Israel due to mounting international pressure for boycotts on brands believed to be aligned with Israel as fallout from the Hamas-Israel conflict continues. This recent development comes after McDonald’s Israel announced it was delivering thousands of free meals to hospitals and troops of the Israel Defence Forces triggering an international call for a boycott.

With consumers worldwide, and especially South Africans showcasing solidarity with Palestine through boycotts of certain brands, McDonald’s SA released a statement reiterating its independent standing. On Tuesday, they declared themselves as a solely South African operation with no affinity with McDonald's Israel. Their statement reads, "McDonald's in South Africa is a local enterprise, with full ownership and operation overseen by local management. We are not affiliated with McDonald's operations in Israel, which is a locally-owned Israeli enterprise.”

The fast-food chain emphasized that McDonald’s Israel makes its own logistical, business and communication choices, completely independent of McDonald's South Africa. The South African venture, which opened its first restaurant in Johannesburg's Blackheath in 1995, currently runs 377 outlets across the country. It plays a substantial part in the nation's economy by facilitating employment opportunities, establishing local partnerships, and driving economic progress.

Moreover, McDonald's South Africa stated that its operations remain strictly business-oriented, consciously avoiding any form of political involvement.