Credits: Social Media
Starbucks respond to woman’s claims about a watermelon mug and Palestine
Starbucks has responded to a video posted on TikTok where a user claimed she recently found a selection of watermelon print mugs in store. The woman also linked the design to support of Palestine.
Starbucks issue response to watermelon mugs
Some TikTok users were shocked to see mugs with watermelon print allegedly found in a Starbucks stores. This is because the fruit is a symbol of Palestinians, created in response to the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel.
However, Starbucks clarified its stance in a press release as neutral and that the only time they stocked these mugs was in summer. A spokesperson told The Focus that the above “rumor” that’s circulating online “isn’t based in fact.”
The statement reads:
“Starbucks Watermelon Mug has been available for sale in the UK since 4 May 2023, launched as part of our 2023 EMEA Summer campaign merchandise collection.
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In 2023, Starbucks got embroiled in controversy when a few union members posted a pro-Palestine post on social media following Hamas’s attack on Israel, before taking it down soon after.
The coffee chain sued the union for using its name and logo to make a political statement that wasn’t approved by the company when it had no official stance on the war.
Company’s comment on the Israel and Palestine conflict
On December 29, 2023, Starbucks issued an official statement about the conflict between Israel and Gaza, which reads as follows:
“Our position remains unchanged. Starbucks stands for humanity. We condemn violence, the loss of innocent lives, and all hate and weaponized speech.
“Despite false statements spread through social media, we have no political agenda. We do not use our profits to fund any government or military operations anywhere and never have.”
‘Limited-edition’ mugs spark more discussions
The Starbucks mugs with watermelon print aren’t sold online at the time of writing, although the product is on display on its website. The item was released in May 2023 as a part of their summer collection in the UK and it has no tie with the Middle East conflict.
Some seasonal merch, like the watermelon mug in question, are sold out of the season when stocks remain.
Amazon has the same “limited edition” item on display but, currently, it’s out of stock. The TikTok posted by user Deana Hassanein, on her channel @deanahassanein, shows the mugs in question, which she alleges to have found in Starbucks stores.
“Are you all as confused as I am?,” she captioned her video.
