McDonald’s Malaysia files $1 mn lawsuit against Israel boycott group

Israel boycott movement sued by McDonald's Malaysia for $1 mn

A legal battle is brewing between McDonald’s Malaysia and a pro-Palestinian activist group over alleged defamation on social media.

GAR, the company that operates McDonald’s franchises in Malaysia, has filed a lawsuit against BDS Malaysia, a movement that calls for boycotting Israeli products and companies, for posting several statements on Facebook and Twitter that accused McDonald’s of supporting Israel and its occupation of Palestinian territories.

According to GAR, these statements are false, malicious and damaging to its reputation and business interests. The company is seeking RM4 million ($1 million) in damages, as well as an injunction to stop BDS Malaysia from making further defamatory remarks.

BDS Malaysia, however, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the lawsuit. The group claims that it is exercising its right to freedom of expression and that its campaign is based on factual information and international law. The group also argues that McDonald’s is indirectly complicit in Israel’s violations of human rights and international law by paying royalties to its parent company in the US, which has close ties with Israel.

The case is expected to go to trial soon and could have implications for other multinational corporations operating in Malaysia, as well as for the freedom of speech and activism in the country.

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An aspiring novelist and a random blogger, Nitish is also a porky-mouthed banter specialist when it comes to football (soccer), films, TV Series, History and socio-economic issues. He travels, indulges in music and plays outdoor sports to get his creative juices flowing. “There’s the scarlet thread of murder running through the colorless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.”- Quote this, and you will be his favorite person for at least as long as the two of you can hold up the conversation.