Brands across the world have felt the impact of a growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement that pro-Palestinian activists have pushed to pressure and punish companies that are perceived to support Israel’s deadly military campaign in Gaza. But the impact has been most pronounced in Muslim-majority countries across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where boycotts on several fast-food chains have begun to pose an existential threat to franchisees despite pushback from local operators against allegations that their businesses are tied to Israel. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] QSR Brands, the franchise holder for KFC in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia, announced on Monday that it is temporarily shuttering over 100 KFC outlets across the country, local media reported, as it looks to “manage increasing business costs and focus on high-engagement zones.” The move comes amid a Malaysia-wide boycott against the fried chicken establishment, as activists criticize its U.S.-based parent company Yum!