Shocking images have emerged of a Starbucks and McDonald’s plastered in anti-Israel stickers and smeared with red paint.
The cafe and fast food restaurant were defaced along Swanston Street, in Melbourne, during a pro-Palestine rally on Sunday.
Stickers decorated with the Star of David and a red ‘no symbol’ were plastered on the Starbucks storefront while red paint, imitating blood, was smeared on the walls.
McDonald’s staff were forced to delay opening as they scraped the stickers off the windows and touch-screen machines used for ordering meals.
Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich called the defacements ‘terrorist-like tactics of intimidation’.
Starbucks (pictured) and McDonald’s outlets in central Melbourne have been targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters
‘Melbourne is fast becoming the anti-Israel and antisemitic capital of Australia, as these home-grown extremists run wild,’ Dr Abramovich told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Where was Victoria Police as these protestors ran amok, vandalising and defacing shops like a wrecking ball, and acting as if Melbourne is a lawless city?
‘The CBD was once a safe place for people to visit, eat and shop, but no longer, as this tornado of prejudice is destroying our sense of security .
‘No one should be in fear in their own city, but this is sadly where we are heading to.’
Many of the stickers on both stores were Israeli Star of David flags with a red cancellation stripe through them or ones that stated in white lettering on a red background that read: ‘This company supports genocide’.
Signs placed on the ground outside Starbucks stated ’47 per cent of Gaza is under 18yo. How many dead children is too many?’
Another showed a drawing of a child’s hands reaching pleadingly with the slogan ‘Stop killing children like me’.
Starbucks closed its cafes across Melbourne’s CBD as a safety precaution, after demonstrators banged on windows and screamed at customers the previous two weekends.
Victoria Police say they are investigating the vandalism and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
McDonald’s in Melbourne has also been targeted by the Palestinian-born CEO of rival burger chain Burgertory Hash Tayeh, who last week led protesters in slogans against the company’s purported support of Israel.
McDonald’s staff were forced to delay opening as they scraped the stickers off the windows and touch-screen machines used for ordering meals
Starbucks closed all its Melbourne outlets over the weekend because of safety concerns
A Burgertory store in Caufield, a northern Melbourne suburb with a large Jewish population, was burnt down by suspected arsonists on November 10.
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This led to clashes between pro and anti-Israel protesters later that day with police investigating an incident where a Toyota Hi-Lux displaying Palestinian flags appeared to swerve dangerously at a group draped in Israeli colours.
The BDS Movement – which stands for boycotts, divestments and sanctions – has long urged supporters to put ‘pressure’ on companies perceived as supporting Israel.
McDonald’s is one such targeted because of the free meals Israeli outlets have offered to members of the Israel Defense Forces and messages of support offered by franchises in that country.
The Australian arm of the US fast food giant has distanced itself from these actions.
‘We are dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East,’ McDonald’s Australia said in a statement.
‘McDonald’s Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, and any actions from our local Developmental Licensee business partners were made independently without McDonald’s consent or approval.
‘Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.
Starbucks has been a target of anti-Israel protesters after suing a union for using its logo in a social message supporting the Palestinian cause
‘We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our people in the region while supporting the communities where we operate.’
Palestine supporters around the world called for a boycott of Starbucks after the US company sued its workers’ union for using the logo on a social media post that read: ‘Solidarity with Palestine!’
The message was shared by Starbucks Workers United on X, formerly Twitter, less than 48 hours after Hamas launched a series of terrorist attacks in Israel that killed at least 1200 people and saw hundred taken hostage.
