World News

‘Heartbroken & Furious’: Global Firms, CEOs React To Israel-Hamas War

October 20, 2023
Bharat Times

Hamas’s attack on Israel and subsequent retaliation by Tel Aviv in Gaza have drawn responses from top executives and global firms like Adani Group, JP Morgan, Microsoft, and Google. Over 3,700 people, including 1,524 children, 1,000 women, and 120 older people, have been killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip so far, the Hamas-run health ministry said. More than 12,500 others have been wounded since the war began, following a shocking Hamas assault on Israel that killed around 1,300 people, the vast majority of whom were civilians.

Let us have a look at how global firms have reacted to this attack.

Firms’ Reaction On Israel-Hamas War

  • Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd: A spokesperson of the Adani Ports said, “At a time like this, our thoughts continue to be with the people of Israel. We are closely monitoring the action on ground which is concentrated in South Israel, whereas Haifa port is situated in the North. We have taken measures to ensure safety of our employees and all of them are safe. We remain fully alert and prepared with a business continuity plan that will enable us to respond effectively to any eventuality. The overall contribution of Haifa in APSEZ’s numbers is relatively small at 3% of the total cargo volume. For the current financial year (Apr 23-Mar 24), we have guided for Haifa Cargo volumes range of 10-12 MMT and APSEZ’s total cargo volume guidance of 370-390 MMT. In the initial six months (Apr-Sep 23), APSEZ’s total cargo volume was ~203 MMT, of which the Haifa share is ~6 MMT. We stay confident of APSEZs business performance.”

 

  • Google: CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai wrote on X that he is deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks in Israel and the escalating conflict. He added that the immediate focus of Google since Saturday has been on employee safety.

 

  • Pfizer: The Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla tweeted that he was heartbroken and furious to read the news out of Israel. He said that terrorist actions, including the hostage-taking of civilians, the desecration of bodies, and the murder of children and the elderly, violate the most basic tenets of humanity and must be universally condemned in the strongest terms.

 

  • Walmart: The President & CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillon, on LinkedIn wrote that the Walmart Foundation will donate $1M to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to support outreach programs to educate about the history and lessons of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism in order to inspire people to confront hate and promote human dignity.

 

  • Microsoft: CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, tweeted that his condolences are with all those killed and impacted. He added that Microsoft’s focus remains on ensuring the safety of its employees and their families. 

 

  • HP: President and CEO of HP, Enrique Lores, on LinkedIn said that HP condemns violence and its number one priority remains the safety and wellbeing of its employees and their families. He added that he is in regular contact with his local team.

 

  • Deloitte: Deloitte on it’s official LinkedIn page extended support to the fellow citizens on the home front as well as to those on the front lines. The company in its post said that its prayers are fervently directed towards the swift recovery of the wounded and the safe return of the abducted.

 

  • Amazon: CEO of Amazon, Andy Jassy, tweeted that the attacks against civilians in Israel are shocking and painful to watch. He added that he has been in touch with his teammates in Israel to make sure Amazon does everything it can to help support their family’s and their safety.