Protesters at TRX Apple Store Call for Boycott of iPhone 17 Over Palestine and Congo
Protesters Disrupt iPhone 17 Launch at TRX Apple Store
A group of Palestine and Congo supporters stirred public attention after staging a protest inside the Apple Store at The Exchange TRX mall in Kuala Lumpur. The protest coincided with the official launch of the iPhone 17 in Malaysia.
Chanting “Free, Free, Palestine” and holding a banner featuring the words “Palestine” and “Congo”, the demonstrators briefly occupied the store before being asked to leave by security.
The video of the protest, which only lasted a few minutes, was uploaded by activist group Gerakan Gabungan Anti-Imperialis (GEGAR) on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. GEGAR praised the group for their bravery in confronting a tech giant during a global product launch.
Public Divided on Boycott Calls
The protest sparked mixed reactions online. While many applauded the demonstrators for taking a stand, others questioned whether targeting Apple was the right move.
Several commenters pointed out the irony of protesting Apple while most Malaysians—including the protesters themselves—use Apple devices daily. Critics challenged the practicality of a boycott and asked if people were willing to give up their iPhones, MacBooks, and other Apple products.
On the other hand, some commenters defended the protest, stating that although past purchases couldn’t be undone, future buying decisions could reflect ethical stances.
Malaysia Among First to Receive iPhone 17
Malaysia was one of the earliest countries to receive the iPhone 17, with its official launch taking place on 19 September.
Danial Arif Abdul Halim, a 19-year-old student from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), made headlines as the first customer to purchase the device at TRX after queuing from 3 a.m.
Despite the protest, the launch proceeded as planned and drew a massive crowd of eager buyers.
Why Apple Was Targeted
The protest was not an isolated act. Globally, Apple has come under scrutiny from pro-Palestinian and pro-Congo activists for its alleged indirect involvement in conflicts.
In particular, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Apple of sourcing conflict minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold—often referred to as 3TG—which allegedly come from war-torn regions and are funnelled through opaque supply chains.
Additionally, Apple has been targeted for its ties to Israel. The company operates multiple research and development centres in the country, contributing to advanced semiconductor and hardware technology used in its devices.
More controversially, reports have surfaced that Apple matches its employee donations to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a non-profit organisation based in New York that supports Israeli soldiers’ well-being, education, and morale. This perceived affiliation has fueled ongoing calls for accountability from rights groups.
Source : Twitter
https://x.com/i/status/1969065768529629198
