In Bangladesh, thousands of people came out to protest against Israel’s attacks on Gaza. But the protests soon turned violent in cities like Dhaka, Sylhet, Khulna, Chattogram, Barishal, and Cumilla.
Some people started breaking into and looting shops of big international brands like Bata, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Puma. They believed these companies support Israel. However, most of these brands have no link to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Shops like Bata, KFC, and Puma were attacked
Shops belonging to international brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Puma, and Bata were attacked during the protests. Videos on social media show people breaking glass doors and stealing items, especially from Bata shoe stores. Many stolen shoes were later found being sold online on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, a report in Bangladesh’s TBS News said.
One video showed people using sticks to break things inside a KFC outlet. Other videos showed angry crowds vandalising Puma and Domino’s outlets. The main reason for these attacks was a belief that these brands are linked with Israel. However, according to news reports, most of these companies do not have any connection with the country.
According to a report in The Dhaka Tribune, people were wrongly told that these brands support Israel. These false claims led to violence, which some say shows how little the public knows about the companies’ real background.
#BREAKING 🚨
In Bangladesh, Islamists are openly rallying for Hamas, vandalizing places like KFC, and calling for boycotts of U.S. and Israeli products. Despite the chaos, authorities have taken no action as anti-Israel , anti-America and anti-India slogans continue to spread.… pic.twitter.com/IRNDXxZ0DM— Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus 🇧🇩 (@VHindus71) April 7, 2025
Companies react: “We have no ties to Israel.”
Bata, one of the brands attacked, issued a public statement to clear the confusion. “We are aware of inaccurate claims suggesting that Bata is an Israeli-owned company or has political affiliations in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Bata is a privately held, family-owned company founded in the Czech Republic, with no political ties to the conflict,” the company said in a message to Bangladeshi media.
“It is deeply regrettable that some of our retail locations in Bangladesh have recently been subjected to vandalism, apparently triggered by these false narratives,” Bata added.
Another brand that faced protest was Puma. Though it is a German company, it faced criticism online in the past because it sponsored the Israel Football Association in 2018. However, that sponsorship ended in 2024.
Domino’s Pizza is an American company. Its Bangladesh outlets are owned by India’s Jubilant FoodWorks Limited. In 2023, Domino’s faced criticism after its Israel franchise posted messages supporting Israeli soldiers during earlier attacks in Gaza. Videos also showed Domino’s staff donating food to Israeli Defence Forces.
KFC, also an American company, came under protest because it has outlets in Israel and once bought an Israeli tech company in 2021. That company, Tictuk Technologies, helps improve online food ordering.
The police have arrested over 70 people so far and are investigating the case. These protests are worrying the government because Bangladesh is preparing to host a major global investment summit soon. The event is important for the country, especially during this time of economic slowdown. It will be led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
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