evidence: McDonald’s and Starbucks are among numerous western companies facing consumer boycotts over the Gaza conflict. McDonald’s found itself caught in the crossfire after an Israeli franchisee said it was providing thousands of free meals to the Israel Defense Forces. [...] Many other American companies are being targeted, in some cases purely for their government’s support for Israel. These include KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King, as well as brands such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Wix and Puma. Google and Amazon face boycott calls for offering services to the Israeli government and military to sustain what many contend is apartheid against the Palestinians. [...] Boycotts relating to the Middle East have a long history. Twenty years ago, American brands were being removed from Arab shelves over the Iraqi invasion. Coca-Cola was boycotted by the Arab League from 1968-91 because it traded in Israel. Sometimes the activism has also come in the other direction, with Ben and Jerry’s, Orange, and SodaStream all pulling out of illegal Israeli settlements.