Attn: All AMERICANS on QL
Time for CHANGE! Vote up to re-evaluate aid to Israel!!!!
http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000...
Time for CHANGE! Vote up to re-evaluate aid to Israel!!!!
http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000...
January 16, 2009
Facts about Starbucks in the Middle East
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.
Myths
Is it true that Starbucks provides financial support to Israel?
No. This is absolutely untrue. Rumors that Starbucks Coffee Company provides financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army are unequivocally false. Starbucks is a publicly held company and as such, is required to disclose any corporate giving each year through a proxy statement. In addition, articles in the London Telegraph (U.K.), New Straits Times (Malaysia), and Spiked (online) provide an outside perspective on these false rumors.
Has Starbucks ever sent any of its profits to the Israeli government and/or Israeli army?
No. This is absolutely untrue.
Is it true that Starbucks is teaming with other American corporations to send their last several weeks of profits to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army?
No. This is absolutely untrue.
Is it true that Starbucks closed its stores in Israel for political reasons?
No. We do not make business decisions based on political issues. We decided to dissolve our partnership in Israel in 2003 due to the on-going operational challenges that we experienced in that market. After many months of discussion with our partner we came to this amicable decision. While this was a difficult decision for both companies, we believe it remains the right decision for our businesses.
Middle East Partnership and Operations
Do you work with a Middle East partner to operate Starbucks stores?
Through a licensing agreement with trading partner and licensee MH Alshaya WLL, a private Kuwait family business, Starbucks has operated in the Middle East since 1999. Today Alshaya Group, recognized as one of the leading and most influential retailing franchisees in the region, operates more than 274 Starbucks stores in the Middle East and Levant region. In addition to its Starbucks stores, the Alshaya Group operates more than 1,700 other retail stores in the region, providing jobs for more than 15,000 employees of more than 35 nationalities.
We are extremely fortunate and proud to have forged a successful partnership for the past ten years and look forward to building on this success.
In which Middle Eastern countries do you operate?
We partner with Alshaya Group to operate Starbucks stores in Egypt, Kuwait, KSA, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon in the Middle East region. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many communities, and we are committed to providing the Starbucks Experience while respecting the local customs and cultures of each country we are a part of. We are also committed to hiring locally, providing jobs to thousands of local citizens in the countries where we operate.
Are you still operating Starbucks stores in Israel? If not, do you have plans to re-open should the opportunity arise?
We decided to dissolve our partnership in Israel in 2003 due to the on-going operational challenges that we experienced in that market.
When and where the business case makes sense and we see a fit for the Starbucks brand in a market we will work closely with a local partner to assess the feasibility of offering our brand to that community. We will therefore continue to assess all opportunities on this basis. At present, we will continue to grow our business in the Middle East as we have been very gratified by the strong reception of the brand in the region. We continue to work closely with our business partner, the Alshaya Group, in developing our plans for the region.
http://www.starbucks...
Contact Information:
Starbucks Coffee Company
Customer Relations
(800) 235-2883
info/-a-t-/starbucks.com
Here!Here! RP! That was basically what I said to her on a another thread....Get of ur butt, go there and do some voluntary work helping with the aftermath!
Najamss, I think you are mixing up billions and trillions when you speak of US foreign aid to Israel and the deficit. The US spends on Israel about what we spend on potato chips - which is still too much, but it's not enough to retire the debt (unfortunately.)
Mandi
Go and live like a Palestinian! Since you are so infatuated and adamant about them. Why don't you resign to your American citizenship, turn-in your blue passport and get yourself a Palestinian citizenship and passport.
What is the end result of these foreign policies, what you earn and lose at end of the day?
Hats Off to you Mira.
If today USA stops aid to Israel, it can come out of recession in just 2 years and situation will be started become better just after few months.
If US stops aid for Israel, she can improve its welfare system. Americans can get free medical by their Government, schools can become cheaper for citizens.
I love American people but hate US foreign policies. If today US changed her foreign policies, Americans can go anywhere in the world without any fear (even in Afghanistan and Gaza as well). American should think that where are their taxes being spent every year. I know that how Americans earn their money and how easily Govt. is imposing taxes on them but situation of meical, welfare system, and education is getting worse year by year.
IT is a TIME TO THINK.......
Good site, but does it really offer any value to the President Elect ? I doubt it.
Yes, he will get some idea of people's perceptions and issues, but at the end of the day, he will make decisions based on advice from senior cabinet members, think tanks, lobby groups and most importantly, what he sees important for America.
humm 1960! :/ but I was not born yet :)
lol
you are welcome PM, I'm 100% agree with you about the tow first sentences, but your ideal approch is in paradise not here :)
I actually love Americans, I hated the Bush Administration, and many of America's foreign policies, but so do so many Americans.
PM, if you do not think so then you have answered to yourself. btw american as a nation i love them :)
out of such discussions
How are you dear?
===================================== http://www.qatarliving.com/node/58409
Can one of the moderators delete this thread? The post is useless..now.
===================================== http://www.qatarliving.com/node/58409
You can't teach experience...
Another Classic comment by Heero the Zeero...lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
Time for Change I hope so too..
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HE WHO DARES WINS
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
PM, I definitely have something in mind. I don't know I recognized the "lobbying" spirit in you. I just have to stay focused on the boycott meeting for tomorrow, then, I would like to bounce some ideas off of you.
I apologize Alexa if you find my response sarcastic because that is exactly how I interpreted your question.
PM, why not pro arab lobby in Israel it sounds better no! comm'on!!
If you are bugged by the topic of Peace in the MiddleEast why do you keep commenting when others are trying to express their viewpoints, maybe some people will learn something new and debate is healthy.
Never mind, it's too late! Sorry, the link is dated and it was meant before Obama actually became president.
Alexa, I post what I feel others on qatarliving would be interested in, certainly not all of the members of QL, but some. That's the point of a public forum isn't it? Y'know to share and communicate with others...
You can't teach experience...
PM ... i like your point of views ..
Alexa... I like your way of approach :-)
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