Online Desk :

Coca-Cola Bangladesh recently found itself at the center of a negative social media maelstrom after releasing a one-minute advertisement aiming to clarify that Coca-Cola is not an Israeli product and urging people not to boycott it based on misinformation. Featuring actors Saraf Ahmed Zibon and Shimul Sharma, the ad quickly drew intense criticism and threats of boycott from viewers who perceived it as controversial. On Tuesday morning, the ad disappeared from Coca-Cola’s YouTube channel, prompting speculation that the company had taken it down in response to the backlash. However, the ad was back online by the evening, with a disabled comment section to prevent further negative feedback.

Despite the inability to comment directly on the YouTube video, viewers continued to voice their disapproval across various social media platforms, including Facebook. The ad became a hot topic across Facebook groups, pages, and on other YouTube channels, where it became a subject to numerous parodies and critical discussions. Saraf Ahmed Zibon, who directed and starred in the ad, has faced significant backlash. Defending his involvement, he posted a statement on Facebook, saying, “Recently, Coca-Cola Bangladesh hired me to create and act in an advertisement. I simply presented the information and data they provided… This project was just a part of my professional work… I have not supported Israel in any way, and I never will. My heart is always on the side of justice and humanity.” The advertisement, which was intended to address misinformation about Coca-Cola being an Israeli product, instead sparked outrage and threats against the actors involved.

The controversy emerged amid growing calls for boycotts of Coca-Cola by citizens in Muslim countries, who oppose the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestine. This sentiment has been particularly strong in Bangladesh, where the advertisement has become a flashpoint, online. Discussions and criticism of the ad continue to proliferate on various online platforms, with many sharing distorted versions of the ad. Critics argue that the advertisement perpetuates misconceptions, incorrectly linking Coca-Cola to Israel. However, Coca-Cola has urged consumers to verify the facts themselves, emphasising that Coca-Cola is consumed in 190 countries, including Palestine, where a Coca-Cola factory operates. Despite the ongoing controversy, Coca-Cola Bangladesh has yet to issue an official statement addressing the backlash.