Turkish Researcher’s Protest: Starbucks Presence Near Prophet’s Mosque Sparks Outrage
Watan-A Turkish researcher appeared in a video expressing her sadness and frustration over the ongoing activity of Starbucks (which supports the Israeli war on Gaza) next to the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia.
In the video, the Turkish researcher, Başak Emir Özgül, was seen standing in front of the store, saying, “Yes, this is a branch of Starbucks located directly in front of the Prophet’s Mosque… Truly, words choke in my throat… It’s a heartbreaking situation.”
She added, “I want to respond to this with this piece,” then she held up the Palestinian kufiyah she was wearing, saying, “Imagine a piece of fabric speaking, it touches the heart much more than a ball of yarn.”
She pointed out that this piece is a symbol of resistance against injustice, explaining that her stance is an expression of taking a position. She continued, “Leave all ideologies at home and come out with your personality while wearing the kufiyah. This holds meaning for us.”
She emphasized that being in front of Starbucks wearing the kufiyah represents a message of solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
“الوجود هنا أمام ستاربكس بالكوفية يمثل تضامننا مع #فلسطين ، ليس لي سوى هذه الطريقة” .. فتاة تركية تعبر عن حزنها واستياءها باستمرار نشاط شعبة ستاربكس التي تجاور المسجد النبوي#فلسطين_قضيتنا #غزه_تموت_جوعاً pic.twitter.com/192zZ38L57
— نون بوست (@NoonPost) February 24, 2024
Boycotts hit Starbucks
revenues It’s noted that boycott campaigns organized in the aftermath of the war on Gaza have led to a decline in Starbucks’ revenues in the last quarter of the previous year.
Quarterly data from Starbucks showed that its sales in the United States and abroad, particularly in the Middle East, fell below expectations due to boycott campaigns that began after the company showed support for the Israeli occupation army in its war on Gaza, alongside other impacts related to labor demands in the company’s branches in the United States.
The company’s earnings per share were 90 cents in its first quarter, compared to an expected 93 cents, but it achieved profits of $1 billion, up from $855 million in the same quarter.
The company’s revenues reached $9.43 billion in its first quarter, compared to an expected $9.6 billion, but the recorded figure represents an increase from $8.7 billion in the first quarter of its previous fiscal year.
