(WNY News Now) – New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Urges Tesla, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and NIKE to Join Anti-Semitism Fight.
New York – New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, acting as the trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, has initiated a call to action, urging 50 major portfolio companies, including Tesla Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., and NIKE Inc., to join the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Workplace Pledge to Fight Anti-Semitism. This announcement was made during the Stand With Israel event at the Hamptons Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, where Rabbi Marc Schneier delivered a keynote address emphasizing unity and solidarity.
In response to the surge in anti-Semitic incidents globally, DiNapoli stressed the need for companies to take proactive measures to support Jewish employees and combat anti-Semitism by eradicating hate and bias while fostering a culture of inclusion. DiNapoli’s appeal extends beyond the initially addressed 50 companies to encompass all portfolio companies associated with the Fund.
“The dramatic rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States and the rest of the world is a cause for alarm,” DiNapoli said. “Companies need to take steps to support Jewish employees and fight anti-Semitism by eliminating hate and bias and fostering a culture of inclusion. Employees have a right to a safe and secure workplace, free from discrimination and harassment. Protecting that right is fundamental to the success of any organization. Companies that ignore these issues or only pay lip service to protecting their employees put themselves, and their shareholders, at risk.”
The Workplace Pledge to Fight Anti-Semitism, proposed by the ADL, calls for participating organizations to actively prevent anti-Semitism in their workplaces, support Jewish employees, provide religious accommodations for employees, and speak out against anti-Semitism.
Recent data from the Pew Research Center highlights a higher prevalence of religious discrimination against Jews compared to other religious groups. Moreover, in October, the ADL reported a staggering nearly 400% year-over-year increase in anti-Semitic incidents following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7.
Despite DiNapoli’s push, of the Fund’s top 50 holdings, only Alphabet Inc., Accenture Plc, and S&P Global Inc. have currently endorsed the pledge. The call to action resonates against the backdrop of increasing concerns about the well-being of Jewish employees and the broader societal impact of anti-Semitism. As companies grapple with these issues, the spotlight remains on major corporations, including Tesla, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and NIKE, to actively engage in combating anti-Semitism within their organizational spheres.
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