A branch of Starbucks in Padang City in Indonesia's West Sumatra Province was exceptionally quiet on Tuesday 14 November, amid calls to boycott the chain.

The boycott is over what critics claim is its support for Israel in its war with Hamas in Gaza.

Video showed only a few cars outside the branch, in sharp contrast to its usually busy car park.

Krisna, a parking attendant there, said Starbucks Padang had been deserted for the past week and blamed the boycott.

"Since the call to boycott Starbuck's went viral on social media, it has affected the number of cars parked. I used to make 150,000 to 200,000 rupiah (9.50 to 13 US dollars), but now it's hard to reach 150,000," Krisna added.

Starbucks has been accused of supporting Israel because the US parent company took issue with a pro-Gaza post on a social media account belonging to the chain's union, Workers United.

"Starbucks again extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been killed, injured, displaced and impacted by the heinous and unacceptable acts of terror, escalating violence and hatred against innocent people in Israel and Gaza," read an official Starbucks statement on 11 October 2023.

"To reiterate, we strongly condemn these acts of terrorism, hatred and violence and disagree with the statements and views expressed by Workers United and its members," said Starbucks management.

Starbucks Indonesia has distanced itself from its US parent over the issue.

McDonalds is facing a similar backlash in Indonesia over the actions of its Israeli franchise, which has supplied free meals to Israeli troops.

Indonesia's largest US coffee franchise, Starbucks, has been quiet.

The Starbucks in Padang City, West Sumatra Province, had only a few parked cars last week, as seen in footage taken on 14 November, with many empty spaces, as opposed to the usual crowded ones.

Krisna, a parking attendant there, said Starbucks Padang had been deserted for the past week since the call for a boycott went viral on social media.

"Since the call to boycott Starbuck's went viral on social media, it has affected the number of cars parked. I used to make 150,000 to 200,000 (or 9.5 to 13 usd), but now it's hard to reach 150,000," Krisna added.

A boycott has been called in Indonesia because of Israel's attacks in the Palestinian conflict.

This has a direct impact on Starbucks. The American coffee brand is accused of supporting Israel.

However, Starbucks Indonesia said it was not following the steps taken by Starbucks in the US and also condemned the acts of terrorism.

"Starbucks again extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been killed, injured, displaced and impacted by the heinous and unacceptable acts of terror, escalating violence and hatred against innocent people in Israel and Gaza," read an official Starbucks statement on 11 October 2023.

"To reiterate, we strongly condemn these acts of terrorism, hatred and violence and disagree with the statements and views expressed by Workers United and its members," said Starbucks management.