Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Global fast food chain McDonald's has rejected “inaccurate reports” over its position on the Gaza crisis, after one of its franchises in Israel claimed to have offered thousands of free meals to Israeli soldiers.
McDonald's Corporation on Thursday shared a statement on the social media pages of several of its operators in the Middle East – including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait – affirming that it was “not funding or supporting any governments in this conflict”.
It said the actions of “local development licensees” were made without its “consent or approval”.
The response comes after the Israeli operator of the international restaurant last month said it had donated tens of thousands of meals to the military, as well as police, hospitals and residents.
A large number of McDonald's outlets outside the US are run by local operators, known as franchisees, who act as independent businesses.
“We are dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East,” McDonald's Corporation said on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
“McDonald's Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, and any actions from our local development licensee business partners were made independently without McDonald's consent or approval.
“Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our people in the region while supporting the communities where we operate.”
The statement posted on the Instagram page of McDonald's in the UAE has garnered more than 1,300 responses.
Many replying to the post said they were boycotting McDonald's due to the recent controversy.
The Kuwaiti operator of McDonald's – Al Maousherji Catering Company – posted its own statement on its McDonald's-branded social media channels.
“We at Al Maousherji Catering Company … reaffirm that we stand firmly with Palestine and our brothers and sisters in Gaza.
“We do not accept any questioning of our Arab identity and we, once again, affirm that we respect and uphold the values of our nation and our community.”
It said it had donated funds to the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society and national air bridge relief efforts.
Humanitarian crisis worsens
More than 9,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war broke out on October, with an estimated 1.4 million displaced.
The UAE has joined other Arab nations in calling for an immediate ceasefire to protect innocent lives.
The Emirates has strongly condemned Israeli air strikes on a Gazan refugee camp, in which hundreds of people were killed or wounded.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “indiscriminate attacks” would lead to “irreparable damage” for the region, following the deadly assault on Jabalia refugee camp in the northern part of the enclave on Tuesday evening.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
More from Aya Iskandarani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind