Starbucks: We Don't Financially or Politically Support Israel

International coffeehouse chain Starbucks spoke out on allegations of financial support or political support to Israel on its website on 16 January following worldwide boycotts of its products and stores that apparently impacted them financially. One fact no longer included on Starbucks’ accolades page is that its CEO Howard Schultz was once awarded the "The Israel 50th Anniversary Tribute Award" from the Jerusalem Fund of Aish Ha-Torah in 1998 for “playing a key role in promoting a close alliance between the United States and Israel.” Starbucks maintained that it is a nonpolitical organization on its website. They stated on their website: “It is disheartening that calls for boycotts of Starbucks stores and products, which are based on blatant untruths, have had direct impacts on local economies and residents, and have also led to violent situations involving our stores, partners (employees) and customers. “Our more than 160,000 partners and business associates around the globe have diverse views about a wide range of topics. Regardless of that spectrum of belief, Starbucks Coffee Company remains a non-political organization. We do not support any political or religious cause. Further, allegations that Starbucks provides financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army in any way are unequivocally false. Unfortunately, these rumors persist despite our best efforts to refute them. “What we do believe in, and remain focused on, is staying true to our company’s long-standing heritage -- simply connecting with our partners and customers over a cup of high quality coffee and offering the best experience possible to them – regardless of geographical location. Though our roots are in the United States, we are a global company with stores in 49 countries, including more than 230 stores in nine Middle Eastern countries. In countries where we do business, we are proud to be a part of the fabric of the local community -- working directly with local partners who operate our stores, employing thousands of local citizens, serving millions of customers and positively impacting many others through our support of neighborhoods and cities. They also offer some facts on Starbucks in the Middle East. Click here to read more.

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Added: June 29, 2009. 09:11 AM CST

What the logo of starbucks refer to?

What the logo of starbucks refer to? What about the CEO Mr Shultz political views?

Truth seeker

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Added: June 29, 2009. 09:10 AM CST

What the logo of starbucks refer to?

What the logo of starbucks refer to? What about the CEO Mr Shultz political views?

Truth seeker

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Added: April 28, 2009. 07:05 PM CST

He is a Zionist

Howards Shultz is a self proclaimed Zionist and is affiliated with Aish Hatorah..They are a very strong organization that the Israeli govt awarded loads of Jerusalem land to. They do not believe that Palestinians exist nor do they believe in the Green Line.

Sarah Karaja

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Added: January 25, 2009. 02:44 PM CST

GOD VERSUS GOD

HOW DOES A MAN RESOLVE A BATTLE OF THE GOD'S? Religion is the most divisive force on the earth. History and our present day gives staggering evidence of how damaging and divisive religion has, is, and continues to be. Like a cancer it has spread from that area known as the middle east.(formerly Mesopatamia) to the four corners of the earth, it is in keeping with the source of that global cancer that the middle east should be at the heart of mans present day problems.From its inception by "GOD" over 4000years ago that land has ALWAYS been an evil enigma on the face of the earth.The Promised Land it has proved not to be, and holy it certainly is not. The three major religions of the world, Judaism, Christianity,and Islam, emanated from there. The history of all three of the worlds major religions are awash with the blood of billions. The worlds problems all have their roots in these religious monsters of oppression. Persuing their selfish goals, based on deeply entrenched beliefs in a Deity who must be worse than they are. The hypocritical and brazen way they continue this shameful butchery, for none of them are innocent, is to put on a front of piety, holiness, while their hands drip with the blood of countless numbers of humanity.People need to wake up to this outrageous duplicity which has burdened mankind for millenia. Is it not the greatest and most shameful statement to say that that land in the middle east having been fought over for thousands of years, proving itsef to be the most blood soaked land on the planet, should be called the HOLY LAND??? That these religious leaders have filled the hearts of their congregations with beliefs that have exposed them as ready to carry out the greatest atrocities in the name of their God!Does this belief that they are doing it for God as taught by their religious leaders not legitimise their consciences to commit the most dastardly of deeds? They even promise their followers, Paradise,heaven,immortality, and that all their fleshly desires will be fulfilled in heaven if they carry out these atrocities in the name of their God. For who has killed more of the human family than God.For is it not written in graphic detail in their "Holy Books" as to how God has destroyed his enemies here on earth in the past? The solutions to the majority of mans problems would be resolved by kicking God and religion and its religious leaders into outer space for they have proven to be no earthly good.

911abaddon

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Added: January 23, 2009. 04:54 AM CST

World hypocrisy through Islamic intimidation.

I do not live in fear of Jewish terrorism, but the WORLD lives in fear of muslim terrorism. The local Jews in my country have never been a problem, but the Muslims are a menace. This is fact not fiction,and I know this more or less applies across the world. I believe all religion is evil, just some are more evil than others, but if I had a choice to make, give me a Jew anytime.How many people have protested against Hamas for firing rockets into Israel for years. Nobody. The muslims have turned the world upside down, created worldwide terror, hate the west and its christian background. Have declared a Jihad against us, have committed atrocities all over the world, have killed tens of thousands of men women and children. Train there YOUNG men and women as suicide bombers, have you ever heard of an old suicide bomber.Their religious leaders promise them paradise above with many virgins waiting for them, when those aged charlatans have their child brides here on earth. People should do their homework especially about the muslim mentality and I am sure you would never go in their coffee shops.

911abaddon

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Added: January 22, 2009. 08:34 PM CST

What do do?

When Starbucks pulled out of Israel, rumors were that it is due to political pressure not to support Israel. Turns out the stores there weren’t doing well, nothing political at all.

Now a letter is circulated accusing Starbucks of too much support from Israel. You can see the letter on Snopes.com, anyone who would believe the CEO of a publicly owned company would write this letter is probably drinking more then just coffee.

I didn’t know buying a cup of coffee was so complicated.

Robby

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