While BTS’s association with McDonald’s isn’t new, in the current global climate, the brand carries bigger implications than just a fast-food chain. It is one of the top brands named as a boycott target by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement. After Israel launched its deadly attacks on the civilians of the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice recognized as crimes against humanity, McDonald’s started donating free meals to the Israeli army. After the boycott against the brand intensified globally, McDonald’s bought all its Israeli restaurants. That, however, didn’t change BDS’s stance on the boycott since the move only amplified the fast-food chain’s investment in Israel.
We’re not falling for it. By directly acquiring the 200+ Israeli branches, McDonald’s has become more, not less, complicit in Israel’s genocide and underlying system of apartheid. McDonald’s’ move to gain more “control over its brand” won’t cut it.https://t.co/rVKpiK34tC
A significant part of ARMYs, both Palestinians and allies, have been campaigning for months, urging HYBE to cut ties with Zionism. In the more recent months, the group has urged BTS directly to speak up in solidarity with Palestinians. So, amidst this sensitive situation, V’s post featuring the McDonald’s fries has caused deep hurt in their fan community.
so mcdonalds is on the bds list, it is one of the main companies we're boycotting and seeing tae post that pic, while the next post was a beheaded child made me stop in my tracks. im so speechless and dissappointed idk what to do
Being disappointed and then Holding them accountable and calling them out on their ignorance and wanting them to do better, bcoz you KNOW they're better than this, all of that comes from a place of love btw. Hope u know that. I wouldn't gaf if I didn't love them!
— pb Yoongi misser🍉🔻(ia) (@snoozingyoongi) July 21, 2024
Some felt that it was an unfortunate consequence of pro-Palestinian fans being censored heavily by their co-fans in online spaces, which prevented the BTS members from even knowing what their fans were asking of them.
armys have been getting pulled out from underneath the rubble and yet your only concern is people trying to educate a grown adult about an ethnic cleansing that mcd has shown support for. ok https://t.co/FCWUZIBe4f
Meanwhile, others argued that the members have enough access to the internet to know what the world is witnessing right now. Many even pointed out that V, unlike his other bandmates, is posted in Seoul, and the city has been seeing pro-Palestinian marches every week. So, the chances of him being ignorant about the issue might be even slimmer.
these men are grown ups and there are constantly protests in the middle of seoul. you would think that someone in the special forces, literally stationed in seoul, wouldn’t have heard about these protests? at this point it’s inexcusable.
these men have access to the internet and post on a semi-regular basis. there are protests in seoul all the time. "they just don't know" isn't gonna cut it.
Some fans opined that the photos he posted were all old pictures and didn’t necessarily imply his support for the brand. But others countered, saying that idols are extra careful about displaying brands on their social media, and when they do, it is most definitely an endorsement. V himself has been very particular about not displaying any brand that he isn’t professionally involved with on his Instagram.
Some fans tried to fight back the criticism, citing that certain local branches of McDonald’s have donated to aid the people of Gaza. But they were quickly corrected by others who pointed out that much like Starbucks, regardless of their ownership, these restaurants have to pay a certain charge to the fast-food chain to use their branding, which inevitably ties them to the parent company.
first of all he’s not eating mcdonalds in malaysia. second of all, malaysians are still boycotting mcdonald even after this announcement was made. https://t.co/QgnkqSvpVg
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