The organization representing disabled IDF veterans, backed by a growing number of Members of Knesset and residents and leaders of communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron, have launched a boycott campaign against McDonalds Israel as they have repeatedly refused to open a branch in the Shomron city of Ariel. They are calling their effort “Boycott the Boycotters”.

The leaders of the boycott have used Facebook to get the word out, encouraging Israelis to stop supporting McDonalds for its discriminatory policy, unwilling to open stores in Israeli communities over the Green Line.

Leaders of the boycott are calling on the government to step in and disqualify McDonalds, which is hoping to open a new branch in Ben-Gurion Airport, citing it is unconscionable to permit a franchise that has a discriminatory policy to win a tender for a branch in the airport.

The head of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, penned a letter to Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, aware the ministry has the authority to intervene to block the franchise from receiving the rights at Ben-Gurion to open a branch. Dagan is explained that the owner of McDonalds Israel, Omri Padan, was adamant in his refusal to open a branch in Ariel in 2013. He points out that Padan is in violation of Israel’s anti-boycott law and therefore, must be disqualified from the government tender.

Padan has been credited with being among the founders of the radical left-wing Peace Now organization. He has also been known for his anti-religious views, having refused an offer to open a kosher banch in Beit Shemesh years ago. The organization has also had issues with violating Israel’s Shabbos employment law and has also been in the Supreme Court against the Chief Rabbinate of Israel regarding the branch operating in the Jerusalem Center Bus Station.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)