Now Amazon is accused of inviting pro-Palestine rapper Macklemore to speak but vetoing pro-Israeli speaker days after executive wore controversial necklace
E-commerce giant Amazon has been accused of inviting pro-Palestine rapper Macklemore to speak to its staff just days after it vetoed a talk by a pro-Israel speaker.
E-commerce giant Amazon has been accused of inviting pro-Palestine rapper Macklemore to speak to its staff just days after it vetoed a talk by a pro-Israel speaker.
The rapper, known for his ardent support of the Palestinian cause, was invited by Amazon to speak to a group within the company dedicated to recovering drug addicts.
But the tech giant has been accused of hypocrisy by pro-Israeli activist Samantha Ettus, who alleged Amazon cancelled her Zoom appearance for an unofficial affinity group for Jewish employees, as her talk was deemed to be too controversial by HR.
An Amazon spokesperson denied the double standard to the New York Post: Many of these assertions lack important context, and its inaccurate and misleading to suggest we tolerate hostility in our workplace.
The Thrift Store rapper, who has openly talked about his substance abuse problems in the past, held a pre-recorded seminar that was vetted by Amazons HR department to ensure political discussions were not held.
Pro-Israeli activist Samantha Ettus (pictured) alleged Amazon cancelled her Zoom appearance for an unofficial affinity group for Jewish employees
Amazon is in the midst of a controversy surrounding Ruba Borno, who wore a controversial necklace in a company video
Macklemore (pictured) has been forced to apologise for alleged anti-Semitism in the past
Amazon employee Sasha Troufanov was taken by Hamas on October 7
The Recovery@ affinity group has organized a conversation with Macklemore specifically on his personal journey, recovery and reducing stigmas in the workplace for those recovering from substance abuse, the HR message read, the New York Post reported.
HR said that the team ensured that the conversation would follow those themes for a conversation during National Recovery Month.
In reviewing the event, we have decided to move it to a pre-taped conversation and will review all content before sharing it with employees, HR added.
The talk has since been removed from the company’s internal video portals
But critics said his activism shouldve prevented him from speaking at Amazon.
Last month, Macklemore held a benefit concert titled Palestine Will Live Forever, in which he denounced Israel for conducting what he said was a genocide against the Palestinians.
Macklemore spoke about being a recovering drug addict during his Amazon seminar
But Ettus said Macklemores activism shouldve prevented him from being able to speak
Borno wore a chain similar to the one seen above
He has also been a leading critic of Israel since it began its counter-offensive against the Gaza Strip following the deadly October 7 massacre, releasing a song in May called Hinds Hall where he vocalised his support for Palestine.
He was forced to apologise for alleged anti-Semitism after performing at a concert in fancy dress that many said evoked Jewish stereotypes.
He wore a black suit, a dark wig, a fake beard and a large prosthetic nose.
While he claimed his outfit was a random costume, critics said it was a crude imitation of Hasidic Jewish fashion.
Samantha Ettus said Amazon had cancelled her talk with the unofficial Jewish group, which she said Amazon refused to officially acknowledge.
A few months ago, I was invited to speak at Amazon by their Jewish group which is not a real Jewish group because Amazon refuses to officially acknowledge them because they say theyre a religion [and] not an ethnicity, Ettus said in an Instagram video.
Ruba Borno attends the "Save This Rhino" National Premiere at Paramount Pictures on September 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California
As of yesterday, Ruba Borno a vice president of Global Specialists and Partner Organizations, is still currently employed by the e-commerce behemoth
Ettus said Amazon was guilty of hypocrisy for platforming a known racist and antisemite while cancelling her talk.
Despite the Jewish peoples pleas [that] this is an antisemite and you cant have them speak…he is allowed to speak, Ettus said.
So Macklemore is not controversial but I am, she said.
While Jewish employees filed an official complaint to HR, this was denied.
Amazon is already under fire after one of its executives was left barely hanging on to her job for wearing a controversial necklace showing the Palestinian flag plastered over the State of Israel in a company video.
As of yesterday, Ruba Borno a vice president of Global Specialists and Partner Organizations, is still currently employed by the e-commerce behemoth.
Amazon was quick to remove the video and stated that the clip was never intended to be political.
Borno, who is of Palestinian heritage, fled Kuwait with her parents during the first Gulf War in 1990.
Troufanov, 28, an Israeli hardware engineer at an Amazon-owned subsidiary in Tel Aviv, was taken hostage along with three members of his family from Kibbutz Nir Oz, while his father was murdered in the massacre
The family came to the United States, where Borno received advanced degrees in electrical engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Michigan.
She has worked at Amazon Web Services since November 2021, with previous stints at Experian, Cisco and the Boston Consulting Group, during which time she advised Obamas task force for the automotive industry.
The controversy ignited just days after the one year anniversary of October 7, during which 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas terrorists.
Hundreds more were taken hostage, including Amazon employee Sasha Troufanov, who remains in captivity.
Troufanov, 28, an Israeli hardware engineer at an Amazon-owned subsidiary in Tel Aviv, was taken hostage along with three members of his family from Kibbutz Nir Oz, while his father was murdered in the massacre.
An estimated 42,000 Palestinians have since been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel.
The backlash to Bornos video saw scores of Amazon customers vow to boycott the company in favor of competitors.
Borno also appears to have since deleted her X and Linkedin accounts.
In an article on her alma maters website, Borno states that she believes empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience and accountability are important leadership qualities.
Its important to give credit to the team when things succeed, but its also really important to be accountable for when things go wrong, Borno is quoted as saying.
You are the leader. You cant blame someone else. She also goes on to assert that it is essential to be self-aware.
MailOnline has contacted Amazon for comment.
