Four Ashburn, Virginia, Starbucks stores hit with anti-Israel graffiti

Four Starbucks in Ashburn, Virginia, were vandalized overnight with anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian graffiti, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Department.

Officials said Wednesday the store exteriors were spray-painted with slogans and symbols.

The vandalism has since been removed or covered up by employees. The sheriff’s office believes the four incidents are related.

“Hate speech and destruction of property will not be tolerated in Loudoun County,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a statement. “We are actively investigating these incidents as we do all similar acts and are determined to identify and charge whoever is responsible.”

The vandalism comes as the coffee franchise is facing boycott calls on social media over the Gaza war.

“We are aware of vandalism occurring overnight on May 20 at several of our stores in Ashburn. The experience and well-being of our partners and customers is core to who we are, and we continue to work with local authorities to support their ongoing investigation,” Starbucks said in a statement.

“False statements that have been made about who we are and what we stand for are being shared through social media, which has led to some acts of vandalism. Starbucks has never contributed to any government or military operation in any way.”