Shocking anti-Israel stickers and red paint plastered on McDonald’s and Starbucks after pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne

Shocking images have emerged of Starbucks and McDonald’s plastered with anti-Israel stickers and smeared with red paint.

The cafe and fast food restaurant were defaced during a pro-Palestine demonstration along Swanston Street in Melbourne on Sunday.

Stickers emblazoned with the Star of David and a red “no symbol” were placed on the Starbucks storefront, while red paint, imitating blood, was smeared on the walls.

McDonald’s staff were forced to delay the opening as they scraped stickers off windows and touchscreen machines used to order meals.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich called the insults “terrorist-like intimidation tactics.”

“Melbourne is fast becoming the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic capital of Australia as these homegrown extremists run amok,” Dr Abramovich told Daily Mail Australia.

“Where were the Victoria Police when these protesters were running amok, vandalizing and damaging shops like a wrecking ball, and behaving as if Melbourne was a lawless city?

‘The CBD was once a safe place for people to visit, eat and shop, but that is no longer the case as this tornado of prejudice destroys our sense of security.

“No one should be afraid in their own city, but unfortunately this is where we are going.”

Many of the stickers on both stores were Israeli Flags of a Star of David with a red stamping line through it or flags with the text in white letters on a red background: ‘This company supports genocide’.

Signs on the ground outside Starbucks read: “47 percent of Gaza is under 18 years old. How many dead children is too many?’

Another showed a drawing of a child’s hands reaching out in pleading with the slogan “Stop killing kids like me.”

Starbucks closed its cafes across Melbourne’s CBD as a safety measure after protesters banged on windows and shouted at customers over the past two weekends.

Victoria Police say they are investigating the vandalism and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Melbourne’s McDonald’s is also being targeted by the Palestinian-born CEO of rival burger chain Burgertory Hash Tayeh, who led protesters last week with slogans against the company’s alleged support for Israel.

McDonald’s staff were forced to delay opening as they scraped stickers off windows and touchscreen machines used to order meals

Starbucks closed all its Melbourne locations this weekend due to safety reasons

A Burgertory store in Caufield, a northern Melbourne suburb with a large Jewish population, was set on fire by suspected arsonists on November 10.

This led to clashes between pro- and anti-Israel protesters later that day, with police investigating an incident in which a Toyota Hi-Lux flying Palestinian flags appeared to veer dangerously towards a group dressed in Israeli colours.

The BDS Movement – ​​which stands for boycotts, divestments and sanctions – has long urged supporters to put ‘pressure’ on companies seen as supportive Israel.

McDonald’s is one such target because of the free meals that Israeli outlets have offered to members of the Israeli military and the endorsements offered by franchisees in that country.

The Australian branch of the American fast food giant has distanced itself from these actions.

“We are dismayed by the misinformation and incorrect reporting about our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East,” McDonald’s Australia said in a statement.

“McDonald’s Corporation does not fund or support any government involved in this conflict, and any actions by our local business partners with a development license were undertaken independently without McDonald’s consent or approval.

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

Starbucks has been a target of anti-Israel protesters after they sued a union for using its logo in a social message supporting the Palestinian cause

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

Supporters of Palestine around the world called for a boycott of Starbucks after the US company sued its workers’ union for using its logo on a social media post that read: “Solidarity with Palestine!”

The message was shared by Starbucks Workers United on