McDonald's Isn't The Key To Peace In The Middle East, Probably

By  Kate Bernot

Following President Trump's controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, some citizens of Saudi Arabia launched a campaign to #BoycottAmericanRestaurants. Newsweek reports the topic was trending on Twitter in that country, with some Saudis vowing not to eat at McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, and other American restaurants as a response to Trump's announcement.

With shades of America's attempt to rebrand "freedom fries" in 2003, Saudis are using fast food as a medium to express their opposition to a messy and heated international diplomatic row. The average person, no matter his or her country of origin, doesn't have much leverage as the issue plays out among heads of state and international bodies, so the Saudis expressing their displeasure through consumer choices.

But they're probably naive to think McDonald's will see a 0.01 percent drop in global sales and ring up the President to talk 1967 borders. Still, as Twitter user @k_world_1 points out above, they might be eating a little healthier as a result of their political convictions.

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