: Cream in Your Kaffiyeh? Dual Coffeehouse Boycotts Over Mideast

Coffeehouses have long been places where people have had heated discussions over politics, but this time, the coffeehouse itself is being dragged into the fight. After Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz gave a speech in which he criticized Palestinians during the Jenin incursion, some decided to call for a boycott of the coffee company. “By saving money and drinking regular coffee instead of $3 cup,” said one protestor in an e-mail to Starbucks headquarters, “I will have more money to donate to the needy Palestinian refugees expelled by the people Schulz is defending.” However, pro-Israel activists pointed a finger at (distant) number 2 coffee chain Caribou Coffee – which is 87.8% owned by the First Islamic Investment Bank. Because the firm shares an advisor (Shaykh Yusuf Qaradawi) with pro-Palestinian charities, they called for a boycott of their own. Tea, anyone?

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.