Cinnabon’s Position: Business Operations in Israel vs. Political Stance

The American bakery chain Cinnabon, famous for its cinnamon rolls, began operation in 2011 in Israel, opening in Tel-Aviv with its first establishment in partnership with Ronen Sorinov’s ROK Investments. With intentions to open exactly 10 stores in Israel and promising strict kosher certification to local consumers, this move became part of the company’s overall global expansion strategy.

With Israeli-Palestinian relations gaining sensitivity in the politics of the region, the company was destined to generate controversy following the excitement that it elicited among the Israeli culinary elite. The relationship between Cinnabon and Israel is complex and multi-faceted in that it is defined more by the commercial presence of the company rather than one manifest by a direct financial-political support of the Israeli authorities and their policies. This blog critically examines the issue, considering sociopolitical, ethical, historical, and contemporary aspects.

The ethical debate surrounding Cinnabon’s presence

The complex sociopolitical history of the region and the implications of a multinational franchise having a presence in Israel without visibly discussing or mentioning its sociopolitical history lie at the center of the ethical debate regarding the presence of Cinnabon in Israel. Customers wishing to have Cinnabons’ popular cinnamon rolls were elated as it opened its first Israeli kosher premises in Tel Aviv. However, this euphoria was soon cast into shadow by the ethical implications of the role and responsibility of multinational companies in war zones.

The critics can point to the conspicuous nothingness of Cinnabon with regard to social responsibility and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that casts doubt on how well the brand fits in with the ongoing conflicts of the region. Although the company has made considerable financial success and plans the view up to ten shops to be built, Cinnabon has not made any formal promise to either help the local communities affected by the violence or to offer any stance on the bigger political problem. 

Given that the company is run by a local investment firm that has substantial holdings in the Israeli market, some people see this silence as tacit involvement.

However, the absence of overt backing or contributions to Israeli political or military purposes complicates Cinnabon’s case. The franchise largely functions as a business endeavour in Israel, concentrating on meeting local kosher certification requirements to serve Israeli customers while avoiding openly discussing political issues.

BDS and boycott calls

The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement targets companies and organisations that are found to collaborate in supporting the occupation, apartheid, and human rights by Israel against Palestinians, by discouraging international corporations and organisations through boycotted actions. The campaign aims at making these businesses accountable to their collaboration by deliberately focusing on businesses that directly back the military, financial, or infrastructure apparatus of Israel through boycotts returning on them pressure.

Cinnabon is not on the list of targets that the BDS movement has turned into a top priority of the boycott.

Companies engaged in direct military or intelligence support, infrastructure development, and financial support for apartheid and occupation regimes are given preference by the movement. Rather, brands with verified connections to these actions should be boycotted. However, because Cinnabon has franchises in Israel and is therefore perceived by some as implicitly supporting the normalisation of Israel’s dictatorship, it does occasionally show up in grassroots organic boycott efforts and social media activist demands. 

BDS did not initiate these spontaneous movements; however, Cinnabon in Israel and its relations to Israeli markets allowed it to acquire certain grassroots support. Though Cinnabon is a part of a multinational organisation, Grupo Bimbo, that has operations around the world, including Israel, there is no publicly established evidence that grupo bimbo or Cinnabon monetarily or logistically makes contributions


Comments

4 responses to “Cinnabon’s Position: Business Operations in Israel vs. Political Stance”

  1. Marshmallow Treat Avatar
    Marshmallow Treat

    Cinnabon in Israel? Brilliant strategy—nothing says “we’re here for the pastries” like a side of political hot potato! 🥨💸 Who knew a cinnamon roll could come with such a complex flavor profile?

  2. Bug Blitz Avatar
    Bug Blitz

    Cinnabon in Israel, eh? Nothing like a sweet roll to distract from the unsweet mess of politics! 🍩 Just what we need—cinnamon-flavored neutrality in a region where “kosher” means more than just food! 😂

  3. Granola Dove Avatar
    Granola Dove

    Cinnabon in Israel: because nothing says “let’s avoid politics” like a sticky bun in a war zone, eh? 🍩 Just what the world needed—more sweet rolls, less responsibility! 😏

  4. Morbid Angel Avatar
    Morbid Angel

    Seems like Cinnabon is trying to roll its way into the hearts of Tel Aviv while expertly avoiding any sticky political situations. 🍩 A real masterclass in diplomacy, if you ask me!

  5. parallax sugar Avatar
    parallax sugar

    Cinnabon’s latest strategy of blending sweet rolls with a side of political controversy is a bold move, isn’t it? Nothing says “let’s have a treat” quite like navigating the complexities of the Middle East while trying to sell a cinnamon bun! 🍩😏

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Blanár: Slovakia Supports U.S. Peace Efforts and Hopes for Progress in Alaska Negotiations

Blanár: Slovakia Supports U.S. Peace Efforts and Hopes for Progress in Alaska Negotiations

Bratislava – The Slovak Republic expresses support for the intensified peace efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Slovak Foreign Minister, Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD), made this statement ahead of the upcoming meeting between the Presidents of the USA and Russia in Alaska, highlighting Slovakia’s endorsement of the joint stat

Read More

Bruges Shields Swans from Blue-Green Algae, Led by Alderman Demon

Bruges Shields Swans from Blue-Green Algae, Led by Alderman Demon

Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The city of Bruges has taken extra measures to protect 70 swans from toxic blue-green algae in Coupure, Groenerei, and Sint-Annarei canals. Alderman Franky Demon urges safe feed; a floating dam and weekly water tests ensure their safety.
As VRT News reported, the city of Bruges has taken extra measures to protect swans in the canals from the threat of blue-g

Read More

UN Warns Gaza Crisis Could Escalate Without Safe, Unrestricted Aid Flow

UN Warns Gaza Crisis Could Escalate Without Safe, Unrestricted Aid Flow

In his daily briefing, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized that ongoing delays, bottlenecks, and interference at crossing platforms are hindering efforts to collect and distribute supplies to those in need.
“It is imperative that the UN and its humanitarian partners are enabled to deliver aid at scale, using community-based mechanisms to reach the most vulnerable,” he stated.
The Red Cro

Read More

Putin’s Alaska Triumph

Putin’s Alaska Triumph

The eagerly awaited and quickly organized Alaska summit was never expected to resemble the historic Yalta gathering, where Joseph Stalin persuaded a weakened Franklin Roosevelt and a discontented Winston Churchill to divide Europe between Western and Soviet influences.
Nor was it anticipated to be a groundbreaking event like the Reykjavik summit, where in 1986 Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev s

Read More

European Funds Available for the Preservation of Sensitive Cave Ecosystems

European Funds Available for the Preservation of Sensitive Cave Ecosystems

Ljubljana – The European Union is set to finance a project valued at 5.4 million euros, contributing three million euros to mitigate the adverse effects of cave visits. Additionally, the initiative aims to enhance visitor safety and promote awareness of the caves’ uniqueness and fragility, as stated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning.
Caves serve as critical habitats

Read More

Eddy Buysen’s Exhibition of 8,000 Funeral Notices in Kalmthout

Eddy Buysen’s Exhibition of 8,000 Funeral Notices in Kalmthout

Kalmthout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Eddy Buysen, 77 years old, from Kalmthout, collected 8,000 funeral notices over 60+ years. His exhibition (Aug 15–19) at Sint-Vincentius shows diverse notices, including Mother Teresa and Jean-Luc Dehaene.
As VRT News reported, Eddy Buysen, 77 years old, from Kalmthout, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, has spent more than 60 years collecting funeral n

Read More

Turkish Government Expands Repression of Opposition

Turkish Government Expands Repression of Opposition

İmamoğlu, the primary political adversary of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been selected as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election in Turkey. He denies any wrongdoing and asserts his imprisonment is politically driven.
The opposition party has seen a steady rise in popularity, performing strongly in last year’s regional elections by winning the fiercely co

Read More

Slovenian GDP in Q2 Ranks Among the Highest in the EU

Slovenian GDP in Q2 Ranks Among the Highest in the EU

In Slovenia, the gross domestic product (GDP) saw a notable increase in the second quarter, surpassing the average growth of eurozone countries. According to Eurostat, Slovenia’s GDP growth was 0.7%, compared to the eurozone’s average of 0.1%.
Annually, the euro area’s economic growth was recorded at 1.4% in the second quarter, while the European Union saw a growth rate of 1.5%.

Read More

First Phase of Lommel Mariapark Completely Restored by Freddy Jansens

First Phase of Lommel Mariapark Completely Restored by Freddy Jansens

Lommel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The 1st phase of Mariapark’s restoration in Lommel is complete. Freddy Jansens led the work, restoring the Lourdes grotto, chapels, and statues. Phase 2 is underway, finishing by 2028.
As VRT News reported, the 1st phase of Mariapark’s restoration in Lommel, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, has been completed, and the church next to the park was full on

Read More

ECB President Christine Lagarde Welcomes Design of 1 Euro Bulgarian Coin

ECB President Christine Lagarde Welcomes Design of 1 Euro Bulgarian Coin

SOFIA – The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde has expressed her enthusiasm for the design of Bulgaria’s 1 euro coin through a post on Facebook.
“Exciting news for Bulgaria and the eurozone! Here’s a first look at the design of the Bulgarian one euro coin,” Lagarde noted. She highlighted that the coin’s design reflects continuity with Bulgaria’s exist

Read More