In mid-October, a California-based Google engineer posted a video on LinkedIn singing “a song paying tribute to my fellow citizens.” Palestinians“. A few days later, he was surprised to see his full name published on a website created in Tel Aviv, along with hundreds of “anti-Israel employees” of companies such as Amazon, Mastercard, Deloitte and Microsoft. ” Your support terrorism ‘He is being watched and recorded,’ an unknown user wrote to him, as reported by The Washington Post.
Empathizing or showing solidarity with the Palestinian cause can be very expensive. Since last October 7 Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack in the south IsraelMore than 100 Israeli Arabs were arrested and others were fired from their jobs in the Jewish State. LoopHe was arrested on charges of “inciting terrorism”. This Witch hunt It becomes normal during his government Benjamin Netanyahubut it began to be noticed beyond its borders.
Particularly visible in: United States of Americacountry of birth McCarthyism. Close historical, commercial and geopolitical ties with Israel for decades have made blaming the Jewish state in the ‘land of the free’ a risky exercise. Everyone from prestigious academics to young workers have been fired from their jobs for their support of the Palestinians. This pressure has intensified in recent weeks.
Criticism of silence
The vast majority of American companies positioned themselves on the side of Israel, but their attacks on Israel were also in that direction. Strip This anger, which has already killed more than 8,000 people, is causing more and more workers to speak out. Figures known as supermodels Gigi Hadid And Bella Hadidactors Joaquin Phoenix And Cate Blanchett or singers Dua Lipa And Dragon They use their popularity to claim truce.
But for the vast majority, speaking out can have more serious consequences. Two weeks ago, a truck appeared on the Harvard University campus bearing the faces and names of 34 students who signed a letter denouncing the Israeli government. violence. Starbucks condemns its union “for showing solidarity” Palestine“.
Last week, David Velasco, editor-in-chief of ‘Artforum’ magazine, lay off After publishing an open letter to the country’s cultural organizations supporting “the liberation of Palestine” and condemning “the complicity of our rulers in the serious violations of Palestine” human rights And war crimes“The letter was signed by 8,000 people, but half of them withdrew the letter after criticism and pressure from some collectors. Photographer and activist Nan Goldin told The New York Times: “I have never experienced such a chilling time.” She began boycotting the publication.
Michael Eisen, editor-in-chief of the scientific journal ‘eLife’, was also fired last week for sharing the article of the satirical newspaper ‘The Onion’ titled “Criticism of the dead in Gaza for not saying their last words” on social networks. Condemning Hamas”. Professor of genetics at Berkeley University in his message JewishAcademic institutions asked for “more courage” United States of America.
international edition
‘The Cut’ reported that both Islamic organizations and employment law firms in the country have received an “unprecedented” amount of inquiries from employees and students who have been retaliated against, threatened or vilified for their support of the Palestinian cause. There are also concerns among Jewish workers who fear attacks anti-semites in the office.
Reprisals are also intensifying outside the United States. Founder Web SummitEurope’s largest tech conference has been forced to resign after resignation. boycott They are initiated by Israel and supported by giants such as Google, Meta, Intel or Siemens, as they condemn that the Jewish State is committing “war crimes”. In Germany, media giant Axel Springer fired an intern who questioned its pro-Israel editorial line in an internal chat. In Ireland, an employee of Israeli technology company Wix was also fired for condemning the “indiscriminate” bombing of Gaza and describing the Jewish State as “terrorist”. ‘The Irish Times’ revealed that the company even encourages its employees to create content that will “support Israel’s narrative” and “influence global perception” of the conflict.