Starbucks' Position on Supporting Israel

## Historical Context Starbucks, founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, has grown into one of the most recognizable brands worldwide. The company briefly operated in Israel between 2001 and 2003 through a partnership with [Delek Group](https://www.delek-group.com/), closing all six of its Tel Aviv locations citing operational challenges and business considerations rather than political reasons. ## Official Company Stance Starbucks has consistently maintained a neutral position regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The company has repeatedly stated that it does not support any political or religious causes and that its primary focus is on providing quality coffee and customer service. > "Starbucks does not support any political or religious causes, and that includes financial support of the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army." In a [statement on its website](https://www.starbucks.com//about-us/company-information), Starbucks emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, aiming to create a welcoming environment for all customers and employees, regardless of their background or beliefs. ## Addressing Misconceptions ### Howard Schultz's Personal Views The controversy surrounding Starbucks' position partly stems from former CEO Howard Schultz, who is Jewish and has been vocal about his support for Israel in a personal capacity. However, Starbucks maintains that: * Personal beliefs of executives do not influence corporate policy * The company operates independently of any individual's personal views * Business decisions are based on market conditions and business strategy ### Financial Support Claims Rumors about Starbucks' support for Israel have led to calls for boycotts from various groups, including the [Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement](https://bdsmovement.net/). These claims were largely based on misinformation and have been addressed by the company in several public statements. ## Current Operations As of 2023, Starbucks: 1. Has no corporate-owned stores in Israel 2. Maintains operations throughout the Middle East through licensing agreements 3. Serves customers in numerous Arab countries, including: - UAE - Kuwait - Saudi Arabia - Qatar - Bahrain ## Community Engagement and Support Despite the controversy, Starbucks has shown support for both Israeli and Palestinian communities. In 2019, the company announced a partnership with the [Palestine Investment Fund](https://www.pif.ps/) to support economic development in the Palestinian territories. The company focuses on: ### Community Initiatives * Local hiring practices * Community store programs * Youth opportunity initiatives ### Environmental Sustainability * Ethical sourcing * Reducing environmental impact * Supporting coffee farming communities ## Fact-Checking Resources For accurate information about Starbucks' positions, consumers can refer to: * [Starbucks Newsroom](https://about.starbucks.com/) * Official company statements * Independent fact-checking websites like [Snopes](https://www.snopes.com/) For more information on Starbucks' policies and community initiatives, visit their [official website](https://www.starbucks.com/).

Starbucks' Position on Supporting Israel

Related articles