The National Post reports in its Monday, Oct. 23, edition that one of America's most famous brands, McDonald's, has found itself in the thick of Israel's war in Gaza. A Washington Post dispatch to the Post reports that it all started earlier this month when a McDonald's franchise in Israel run by Alonyal Ltd. said it would provide free meals to Israeli soldiers as well as hospitals. Franchises elsewhere in the Middle East were quick to distance themselves, saying they had nothing to do with the decision to serve soldiers, and some began making donations to Gaza in solidarity with the Palestinians. Then in the wake of a horrific strike on a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds, several branches of the chain were vandalized in Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt. With more than 40,000 stores worldwide at the end of 2021, McDonald's is one of the globe's most recognized brands and is closely associated with America -- even though the vast majority of the restaurants are locally owned under the franchise system. McDonald's Corp., responding to an inquiry about its franchisees' political and charitable activities, said Saturday that the company's top priority was ensuring the safety of its people and teams on the ground.