A group of activists gathered outside McDonald's in Foyleside, Derry to protest the company's Israeli franchise feeding the IDF and to encourage a boycott of the fast food giant.

The protest took place on Saturday 9 December. It started outside the shopping centre before activists made their way inside.

The peaceful protest involved chants and speeches by two of the activists.

Catherine Hutton, Chair of Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign called for shoppers to boycott the fast food giant.

“We have to stand up and be their voice. We're all going about our business today, doing our shopping, buying presents, taking our children out for the day but it can't be business as usual,” she said.

“We cannot sit back and watch as this genocide unfolds online, on TV in front of our eyes minute by minute. So please join us and boycott McDonalds. Don't give them your money. Don't feed genocide.”

McDonald's Israel has donated tens of thousands of meals to the Israel Defence Forces. It's also offering a 50% discount for soldiers and security forces who go to restaurants.

Meanwhile, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), there is a serious risk of starvation and famine in Gaza.

“In northern Gaza, 97% of households are not eating enough. In the south, the figure among displaced people is 83%. Half the people of the north and more than one third of displaced people in the south are simply starving,” the UN said in a press release on December 8.

Speaking after the protest Ms Hutton said locals should consider where the money they spend ends up.

“McDonald's is feeding the Israeli army. They're sending thousands of meals to soldiers. It's important to tell the people their money is, corporately, going to support the IDF,” she said.

“You have a choice, there are plenty of other places locally that are good to eat in – I'd say probably a lot better than McDonald's.

“McDonald's has a huge pull with kids and parents. We're trying to reach out and let people know. As we've seen with Starbucks, which is starting to feel a financial pain, we're hoping to do the same with McDonald's. It will take time but we'll keep at it.”

Councillor Shaun Harkin was present at the protest and said it's important to draw attention to companies who are 'complicit' in Israel's occupation of Palestine.

“It was great to see so many people coming out today for direct action at Foyleside McDonalds,” the People Before Profit councillor said.

“McDonald's in Israel has been proudly feeding Israeli troops from the beginning of their genocidal war in Gaza.

“Corporate McDonald's has done absolutely nothing about it. Corporate McDonald's has done absolutely nothing about it. Shouldn't they be saying that their organisation in Israel shouldn't be backing an army that is killing and has killed thousands of children?

“It's also disgusting that the entire population of Gaza now is facing starvation. We're looking at a cataclysmic situation where the full population of people will start dying from dehydration and starvation while McDonald's is feeding the troops.

“So what we were doing today is, you know, raising awareness about the complicity of major corporations in Israel's genocidal war and their occupation and apartheid.

McDonald's Israel's move has caused a reaction among franchises in many other countries. Franchises in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan and Turkey issued statements disassociating themselves from the Israeli franchise and in most cases pledging aid to Gaza.

A McDonald's spokesperson said:

“We are dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East. McDonald’s Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, and any actions from our local Developmental Licensee business partners were made independently without McDonald’s consent or approval.

“Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our people in the region while supporting the communities where we operate.”