Bata condemns vandalism of Bangladesh shops, says no political ties to Israel-Palestine conflict

Bata has condemned the incidents of vandalism of some of its shops in Bangladesh during yesterday's countrywide protest programmes in solidarity with the global strike for Palestine.
In a statement, the multinational footwear company said, "We are aware of inaccurate claims suggesting that Bata is an Israeli owned company or has political affiliations in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
"Bata Globally is a privately held, family-owned company founded in the Czech Republic, with no political ties to the conflict."
"It is deeply regrettable that some of our retail locations in Bangladesh have recently been subjected to vandalism, apparently triggered by these false narratives.
"We firmly condemn all forms of violence," the company further said.
Bata has been serving Bangladesh since 1962, with a strong commitment to quality, and respect for all communities, the statement added.
The statement comes in the backdrop of pro-Palestine protesters vandalising local outlets of American fast food restaurant chains KFC, Domino's Pizza and Bata in Sylhet, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal and Cumilla, among other areas.