An incident occurred in southeastern Turkey’s Diyarbakır province where a group of men, chanting Islamic slogans, entered Starbucks and Burger King” data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>Burger King stores, protesting against their perceived support for Israel. This event marks the latest in a series of attacks on US-affiliated businesses in Turkey.
The group, on June 22, targeted Starbucks and Burger King outlets in Diyarbakır city center, accusing these brands of backing Israel. Their chants included slogans like “War, Jihad, Martyrdom,” accompanied by placards denouncing Zionism and the US.
Reports from the Mesopotamia Agency (MA) indicate that patrons inside the stores engaged in altercations with the group, resulting in damage to furniture. Some employees and customers were reportedly assaulted during the incident.
The Diyarbakır Bar Association expressed concern over these attacks, noting the fear and distress caused among citizens and employees. They emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations while condemning actions that instill fear and panic.
While US-based businesses like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Burger King Turkey have been targeted by anti-Israel protests in Turkey since October 7, the Turkish branches of these chains have denied any affiliation with Israel.
In response to these incidents, the US embassy in Turkey issued a safety advisory for its citizens, urging caution at locations associated with the United States or Israel. The embassy highlighted the need for vigilance following a series of attacks and protests.