The Malaysian arm of a Palestinian-led movement said there must be evidence that such companies were complicit in Israel’s violation of human rights of the Palestinians.
“We are not sure what is their agenda,” its chairman, Mohd Nazari Ismail told FMT, referring to the actions of Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM).
“Our agenda is to stop the atrocities in Palestine, and not simply to boycott foreign or non-Muslim companies.”
PPIM had yesterday kicked off a boycott campaign against supposed Israeli-linked brands, including Coca-Cola, following the latest flare-up in the Gaza Strip.
He also urged the Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) to recall all Coca-Cola drinks as a form of solidarity with those suffering in Gaza.
But the soft drinks giant said it was deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Israel and in Gaza, and its severe impact on communities in the region.
It also said it had been selling its products in the Palestinian market since 1998 and was currently one of the largest employers in the region.
Coca-Cola also warned that the first people to be hurt by any boycott would be local employees as well as retailers, distributors and suppliers throughout the supply chain in Malaysia.
Nazari said BDS had its own list, and Coca-Cola was not on it as it was “not directly related to atrocities committed by Israel towards Palestinians.”
He went on to say that there were millions of non-Muslims around the world that are protesting against Israel.
The conflict, he added, was not one between Muslims and non-Muslims.
“But some groups seem to be trying to create that impression and we don’t agree with that. What is happening in Palestine is a human rights issue.”
Meanwhile, two muftis also criticised calls to boycott products.
Kelantan mufti Mohamad Shukri Mohamad said calling for a boycott by raiding shops was unIslamic. It could also give non-Muslims a bad impression of the faith.
There were other ways, he said to show solidarity with the Palestinians, including uniting Muslims around the world.
“A boycott would have very little impact and also makes Islam look bad.
“If you want to boycott a product, go ahead, but don’t go overboard.”
Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman said any calls for a boycott should be done without breaking the law, including using force and destroying property.
“Islam prohibits it,” he said.
Rahman went on to say that even if a product was originally from Israel, but a franchise is run by Malaysians and provides job opportunities for locals, it would not be considered being complicit in the violation of Palestinian human rights by the Israelis.
“So boycotting such a product would be unreasonable.”