Palestine will go back to just being a car sticker

Last week, I wrote in my column here that I am not one of those who are boycotting McDonald’s or Starbucks Coffee.

The reason I am not boycotting them is because I feel that the problem lies much deeper than just fast food companies and designer coffee.

I wrote that the backers of the Israel government had too much clout that a mere boycott of a few companies will not do any damage. Instead, locals get hurt more.

I also wrote that for something to actually hurt the Israel government, it has to be big and prominent enough.

For example, how several European state-owned investment arms have blacklisted Israeli companies and financial institutions.

I also said that governments that trade with Israel by proxy because they didn’t want to be seen as ‘trading with Israel’ should also cease what they are doing.

Read my column last week carefully. I also didn’t belittle the thousands who have decided to boycott McDonald’s and what not.

How can you blame them? Without the right facts and information, they actually believe what they are doing is right.

But when the boycott turns out to be just plain vandalism and bullying, then how do you justify it as being right?

Outlets being damaged, workers being attacked an assaulted, their children being shunned in school. How does that help the Palestinians?

The response that came in regarding my column last week were amusing to say the least, although a few agreed with what I had to say, many condemned me.

They accused me of being a Jew, an infidel, a hater of Muslims, an associate of the devil and a lot more colourful words and phrases.

That’s fine by me. I’m a big boy and I can definitely take criticism. Anyway, a little bit of name-calling just makes things more interesting.

But here’s the thing. I wonder what these people who are condemning me so strongly are thinking about the statement made by the Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia?

Dr Anwar Al Agha yesterday said it would be much better if people actually pressured and lobbied against the Unites States rather than boycott McDonald’s.

He told The Star that the United States granted RM718.8 million to Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense System.

And all McDonald’s and Starbucks are doing in Malaysia is creating jobs for locals without contributing or supporting Israel’s aggression on Gaza.

Well, at least that is what their official statements say. But hey, who believes official statements, right? What is on Facebook has much more credibility!

But you know what? I say we don’t have to worry much. It looks like the Selangor Menteri Besar debacle has overtaken Gaza in popularity.

And everyone is obsessed by what is going to happen to the state of Selangor that they will forget everything else.

Soon, everyone will start eating Big Macs and downing Americanos again. Palestine will be forgotten and remain as a car windscreen sticker here in Malaysia, as usual.