Image by Getty Images

By Aiden Pink December 12, 2017

President Trump is a known lover of McDonald’s — former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski recently claimed that the most powerful man in the world would often order two Big Macs, two Filet-o-Fish sandwiches and a chocolate milkshake for a meal during the campaign.

But Trump’s decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has had negative consequences for the Golden Arches: The fast-food giant has been the subject of boycotts in at least two different Muslim-majority countries because of the announcement.

In Saudi Arabia, the hashtag #BoycottAmericanRestaurants spread throughout the country. According to Newsweek, McDonald’s, the country’s leading fast food brand, is one of the companies targeted, as are Papa John’s, Pizza Hunt and Burger King.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

And in Malaysia, rumors spread on Twitter and the messaging service WhatsApp that McDonald’s “channeled funds to Israel” and should be boycotted, Reuters reported.

The company’s Malaysian franchise was forced to respond in a statement. “The claim that McDonald’s channels funds to Israel is a false accusation, a lie, fake and slanderous,” said Azmir Jaafar, the managing director and operating partner of the company’s Malaysian franchisee.

“As Malaysians, we understand the disappointment felt by Muslims around the world over this issue,” he added. “Let us unite and concentrate on the right struggle and pray for those affected by this development.”

The company also faced boycott calls in Malaysia in 2014 when social media posts claimed that McDonald’s was helping to fund Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Contact Aiden Pink at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount