American Jewish Committee Condemns McDonald's Ad Campaign in Egypt

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 21 June 2001

The American Jewish Committee is demanding that McDonald's end its new ad campaign in Egypt because it features a popular singer who is actively promoting and inciting hatred against Israel.

"It simply is incredible that a major American corporation would choose to enlist a symbol of hate in order to promote its products," said Shulamit Bahat, acting executive director of the American Jewish Committee. "McDonald's should use the same standards in its overseas marketing that it uses at home."

The AJC was appalled by a news report that Shaaban Abdel-Rahim, an Egyptian pop star whose song "I hate Israel" is at the top of the charts in Egypt, is featured in new McDonald's ads in Egypt.

"Egypt signed a peace treaty more than 22 years ago, and is close to the United States, but everything about this singer goes against the most basic of American interests, the nurturing of Arab-Israeli peace," said Ms. Bahat.

"Certainly, McDonald's can find a way to sell falafel without enlisting a hate monger as a spokesman," said Ms. Bahat.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org