Unreal thing.

• Author: Freund, Charles Paul
• Position: Artifact - Mecca-Cola - Brief Article

HATE THE U.S.? Live in Europe? Then drink Mecca-Cola, a new brand aimed at slaking Europe's anti-American thirst. The label may look like Coca-Cola's, but it urges, "Don't Drink Stupidly, Drink with Commitment!" French-Tunisian founder Tawflq Mathlourthi has promised to donate 10 cents of every Mecca euro to Palestinian "charities."

Established in Paris last fall, Mecca claimed in December to have orders for 2 million bottles. One customer explained that he'd switched from Coke because the American drink represents "all the things that are most diabolical in history."

Although Mecca has positioned itself against Coke, it's actually competing for the anti-American niche market against an established Iranian off-brand, Zam Zam (named for the city of...