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Boycott Demands on Al Ahly in Egypt: Pressure to Terminate Coca-Cola Agreement due to Suspected Israeli Connections

Al Ahly SC encounters a consumer-led protest due to a high-ranking official urging supporters to purchase club merchandise bearing the Coca-Cola logo.

Boycott of Gaza: Demands for Al Ahly of Egypt to Terminate Coca-Cola Agreement due to Alleged...
Boycott of Gaza: Demands for Al Ahly of Egypt to Terminate Coca-Cola Agreement due to Alleged Associations with Israel

Boycott Demands on Al Ahly in Egypt: Pressure to Terminate Coca-Cola Agreement due to Suspected Israeli Connections

In the heart of Egypt, a boycott campaign targeting Coca-Cola and other multinational brands has been gradually losing momentum since early June 2025. The boycott, driven by consumer sentiment towards companies perceived as supportive of Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, has seen a significant impact in the past months. However, recent reports indicate a positive turnaround for Coca-Cola in Egypt, with increased sales and market share gains each week.

Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola HBC, attributes this resurgence to the company's adaptive strategies and infrastructure development, workforce upskilling, and the introduction of more coolers and distribution channels. Bogdanovic remains optimistic, expressing hope that as the situation stabilises, Coca-Cola will emerge from the boycott period even stronger in Egypt.

However, the boycott against Coca-Cola is not the only controversy surrounding Al Ahly, Egypt's renowned sports club. The club, which has won its 11th Africa Champions title and 43rd Egyptian Premiere League title this year, has found itself at the centre of a boycott campaign due to its association with Coca-Cola and other international brands. Some of Al Ahly's fans have called for a boycott of the team, its games, and all associated activities until the club's contracts with Coca-Cola and Lipton Tea Company are terminated.

This boycott campaign against Al Ahly, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and McDonald's has gone viral in Egypt, with millions of Egyptians joining the movement. A video of Al Ahly supporters at the African volleyball final chanting against Coca-Cola has also garnered widespread attention. Under the hashtag #Boycott_Ahly on social media, users have expressed their support for the boycott, with one user stating, "I will permanently stop supporting #Al-Ahly and all sponsors associated with it... My [Gaza] brothers are more important to me than you."

The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the resulting political tensions have fuelled this consumer activism. Since the Israeli army began bombing Gaza on 7 October, over 42,500 Palestinians have been killed, including 10,091 women and 15,780 children. This ongoing assault has prompted many Egyptians to protest the war, call for a ceasefire, the opening of the Rafah Crossing with Gaza, and the end of the occupation.

Amidst this backdrop, Al Ahly has taken a positive stand, supporting humanitarian convoys and donating revenue from some matches to Gaza. Despite this, the club's association with Coca-Cola, whose bottles were reportedly printed with Israeli-developed technology in 2013, continues to be a contentious issue for some fans.

The boycott movement against Coca-Cola and other corporations, such as the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, lists Coca-Cola as a firm to boycott due to its alleged violations of international law, such as having factories in illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian lands.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Al Ahly continues to enjoy a significant fan base in Gaza, which is only 348 km away from the club's headquarters in the Egyptian capital. The club, which was voted Africa's Club of the Century, remains a symbol of Egyptian pride and resilience, even as it navigates the complexities of the current political climate.

  1. The analysis of the situation in Egypt reveals that while the boycott against Coca-Cola has seen a positive turnaround, Al Ahly, Egypt's renowned sports club, is still at the center of a boycott campaign.
  2. The media has been covering the boycott against Al Ahly, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and McDonald's, with millions of Egyptians joining the movement and a video of Al Ahly supporters chanting against Coca-Cola gaining widespread attention on social media.
  3. The boycott campaign against Al Ahly is fueled by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the political tensions that followed, with over 42,500 Palestinians, including 10,091 women and 15,780 children, reportedly killed since October 7th.
  4. Some of Al Ahly's fans have called for a boycott of the team and its games until the club's contracts with Coca-Cola and Lipton Tea Company are terminated, citing the club's association with companies perceived as supportive of Israel.
  5. Despite Al Ahly's support for humanitarian convoys and donations to Gaza, the club's association with Coca-Cola, which has factories in illegal settlements, remains a contentious issue for some.
  6. The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement includes Coca-Cola as a firm to boycott due to its alleged violations of international law.
  7. The ongoing controversy highlights the intersection of politics, sports, and consumer activism, as events in the Middle East, such as the conflict in Gaza, impact general news, crime and justice, and even sports headlines, such as European leagues and the Premier League.
  8. As the boycott period stabilizes, Coca-Cola and Al Ahly will face the challenge of rebuilding their image and reconnecting with fans, while navigating the complexities of the current political climate in the Middle East.

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