War Sparks Debate on Campus and in Business World: Startups and VC Explain Hiring Stance
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has fueled discussion and controversy on college campuses and in the business world. In light of recent events, two startup founders and a venture capitalist have made it clear that they will not hire individuals who support Hamas, the designated terrorist organization responsible for numerous attacks against Israel.
Adam Struck, founding partner of Struck Capital, emphasized the importance of not hiring individuals who openly sympathize with terrorist attacks. Referring to the recent attacks carried out by Hamas, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths, Struck declared that his portfolio companies should steer clear of candidates with pro-Hamas sentiments. He has urged the more than 75 businesses he has backed to adopt the same stance.
This position was echoed by Michael Broukhim and Matt Frischer, two Jewish American tech executives who recently spoke with Insider. While they acknowledged the distinction between supporting Hamas and expressing concern for the plight of Palestinians, they made it clear that they would not hire those who back Hamas.
The debate surrounding these hiring decisions has led to an exploration of nuanced perspectives. Oren Etzioni, a partner at Madonna Venture Group, highlighted the fact that opposing Hamas can be seen as being pro-Palestinian. It has become increasingly clear that anti-Hamas sentiment does not equate to anti-Palestinian sentiment.
Other businesses and executives have also taken similar stances recently. Some have rescinded job offers to individuals who blamed Israel for the conflict. Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square, even called for the public naming of Harvard students involved in writing a letter that blamed Israel for Hamas’ attacks in order to avoid hiring them.
In their interviews with Insider, Struck, Broukhim, and Frischer delved into their nuanced stances on the issue. Broukhim, the co-CEO and co-founder of FabFitFun, stated that he would not support individuals who signed statements blaming Israel for the attacks. He emphasized the importance of immediate disaffiliation from such statements.
Frischer, co-founder of Protect, an Israeli startup, expressed similar opinions. He made it clear that his company would not hire anyone who supports a designated terrorist organization like Hamas. Frischer explained that while he would still consider candidates engaged in pro-Palestinian rallies, he would draw the line at explicit support for terrorist organizations.
Struck emphasized the need to differentiate between sympathy for Palestinian civilians and glorification of violence against innocent individuals. He stated that candidates who want a better life for Palestinians or criticize actions taken by the Israeli state would still be considered. However, he expressed concern about individuals who cannot distinguish between these stances and blindly support terrorist activities.
The debate over hiring individuals who support Hamas has underscored the importance of carefully evaluating candidates. It has prompted businesses to consider the potential impact on their organizations and the potential risks associated with hiring individuals who support violent rhetoric. As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, these discussions are likely to remain at the forefront of hiring decisions within the business world.
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