By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) - The promoter of 7-Eleven stores has joined other businesses in closing operations in Israel, a media report said Tuesday.
Seven & i Holdings Co., which owns 7-Eleven, “closed all eight of its convenience stores in Israel, as the tensions in the Middle East raised risks of continuing business,” Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported, citing a source.
It is the first known Japanese company to have shut all its businesses in Israel as that country has continued its genocidal onslaught against the Gaza Strip for more than one year which has killed more than 43,600 Palestinians.
The Japanese company opened its first 7-Eleven store in Tel Aviv in January 2023, in collaboration with a US group.
The stores feature different flavored Slurpee frozen drinks, popular in the American franchise, and kosher foods, Kyodo News added.
All stores were closed by the end of July and Japanese employees have already left Israel.
Seven & i Holdings Co. operates 84,000 stores across 19 countries including in China, South Korea and the US.
Israel is facing backlash for its genocidal war against Gaza, which has triggered a global outcry without any success in ending the carnage and destruction.
Market research estimates suggest as many as 60,000 Israeli businesses will be shut down this year.