Starbucks shifts blame to 'misrepresentation' following Israel Gaza protests

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan has published a letter on the company's website, calling for peace and blaming the misrepresentation of its views for the recent vandalism of its stores. The coffee giant has faced protests and boycott campaigns on social media due to its perceived stance on the Israel-Gaza war and a union dispute in the US. Reports of slower sales have also affected its share price. While it is uncertain if the letter will alleviate tensions, Narasimhan condemned violence, hate, lies, and weaponized speech in conflicts around the world. He acknowledged the escalating protests and incidents of vandalism at many stores, attributing them to misinformation on social media. Narasimhan emphasized that Starbucks stands for humanity. The company became embroiled in Middle East debates when a union expressed solidarity with Palestine on social media, sparking backlash. Starbucks distanced itself from the union's statement and sued them for trademark infringement. Calls for boycotts and a workers' walkout have impacted the company's image and share price. Despite analysts believing the share price drop is primarily influenced by broader economic factors, a company spokesperson acknowledged the impact of misinformation on employee-customer interactions. Narasimhan expressed his intention to reinvigorate the company's partner culture and recently initiated talks with the union. However, critics argue that Starbucks is still retaliating against pro-union workers. The company joins other high-profile firms, such as Zara and M&S, that have faced criticism for their handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.