Coworker said Israel shouldn’t exist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.

He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.

Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.

This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.

Yeah I think the biggest problem here is that what’s going on is creating a terrible situation for both OP and their coworker (and their extended families, friends, and cultures), which is wholly out of either of their controls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.

He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.

Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.

This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.

HR can handle this and recommend and provide the employee with resources to help him handle the stress, WITHOUT burdening his coworkers. If he is struggling to maintain professionalism, which is understandable, he needs support/intervention before it escalates into a bigger headache for the organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.

He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.

Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.

This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.

Then the coworker can surely ask for therapy for support, ask HR about a leave for mental health if needed, and of course, most important of all, find help and a sounding board within their own community. Coworkers are not the place to reach out for trauma response, especially on such a serious issue and when they have their own trauma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.

He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.

Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.

This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.

HR can handle this and recommend and provide the employee with resources to help him handle the stress, WITHOUT burdening his coworkers. If he is struggling to maintain professionalism, which is understandable, he needs support/intervention before it escalates into a bigger headache for the organization.

Good luck telling a Palestinian why it is inappropriate to think ISrael should not exist without getting the same complaint from him that he is being lectured on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.

He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.

Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.

This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.

HR can handle this and recommend and provide the employee with resources to help him handle the stress, WITHOUT burdening his coworkers. If he is struggling to maintain professionalism, which is understandable, he needs support/intervention before it escalates into a bigger headache for the organization.

Good luck telling a Palestinian why it is inappropriate to think ISrael should not exist without getting the same complaint from him that he is being lectured on

It is inappropriate to SAY

[Anonymous]

People at OP’s company need a refresher on what is work appropriate conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.

He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.

Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.

This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.

HR can handle this and recommend and provide the employee with resources to help him handle the stress, WITHOUT burdening his coworkers. If he is struggling to maintain professionalism, which is understandable, he needs support/intervention before it escalates into a bigger headache for the organization.

Good luck telling a Palestinian why it is inappropriate to think ISrael should not exist without getting the same complaint from him that he is being lectured on

DP.

The message is "It's not appropriate or professional to discuss this situation at work."

If he can't handle that, he should take leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he were of any other nationality besides Palestinian, I would call it out. But his homeland was literally taken away from he people so he’s gonna have that opinion.

Unless he is 100 years old, no, "his" homeland wasn't taken away. Jesus Christ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he were of any other nationality besides Palestinian, I would call it out. But his homeland was literally taken away from he people so he’s gonna have that opinion.

Unless he is 100 years old, no, "his" homeland wasn't taken away. Jesus Christ.

Settlers are taking land in the West Bank on a daily basis. The process started in the 40s, but it's ongoing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t let it go. He knows he’s being provocative. I’d talk to HR.

HR isnt your friend. Their job is to limit risk. If there isn’t a clear violation then the person who thinks there’s a clear violation becomes the highest risk.

THIS. Do not go to HR!

As most people have already advised, just keep quiet. Don’t bring politics into the workplace like this person does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he were of any other nationality besides Palestinian, I would call it out. But his homeland was literally taken away from he people so he’s gonna have that opinion.

Unless he is 100 years old, no, "his" homeland wasn't taken away. Jesus Christ.

Settlers are taking land in the West Bank on a daily basis. The process started in the 40s, but it's ongoing

So? Presumably the coworker has a home in America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Given the current mass murder happening in Gaza, it's really tough for Jews or anyone with ties to Israel to hold their head up high right now, even though they have been victims for hundreds of years.

It's just an all-around tragic situation, OP. Israel is reacting out of all proportion and is now the bad guy. Your coworker is entirely out of line, but 30,000 Palestinians, the immense majority of whom are innocent women and children, have died.

I don't know what to tell you. It's awful. I'm sorry you're made to feel attacked in your workplace - it should never happen! But then again your coworker is going through severe emotional trauma as well. I'm not Palestinian or Israeli, but come on. No country in the world should have blocked a ceasefire demand at the UN, like the USA just did. We're complicit to mass murder. It's not right.

If you feel you need to say something, it's your prerogative. After what he said, you certainly have just cause! I just hope it won't get him fired. There's too much pain and suffering already.

This all makes his comments like, " When someone sat in his usual spot at the conference table, he joked that the person was Israeli for taking his things." okay? No. Toxic and unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Given the current mass murder happening in Gaza, it's really tough for Jews or anyone with ties to Israel to hold their head up high right now, even though they have been victims for hundreds of years.

It's just an all-around tragic situation, OP. Israel is reacting out of all proportion and is now the bad guy. Your coworker is entirely out of line, but 30,000 Palestinians, the immense majority of whom are innocent women and children, have died.

I don't know what to tell you. It's awful. I'm sorry you're made to feel attacked in your workplace - it should never happen! But then again your coworker is going through severe emotional trauma as well. I'm not Palestinian or Israeli, but come on. No country in the world should have blocked a ceasefire demand at the UN, like the USA just did. We're complicit to mass murder. It's not right.

If you feel you need to say something, it's your prerogative. After what he said, you certainly have just cause! I just hope it won't get him fired. There's too much pain and suffering already.

This all makes his comments like, " When someone sat in his usual spot at the conference table, he joked that the person was Israeli for taking his things." okay? No. Toxic and unacceptable.

I just went through our employee handbook. I didn't see any this comment would violate unless you equate Israel to Judaism, and I doubt most HR departments want to open that can of worms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he were of any other nationality besides Palestinian, I would call it out. But his homeland was literally taken away from he people so he’s gonna have that opinion.

Unless he is 100 years old, no, "his" homeland wasn't taken away. Jesus Christ.

Settlers are taking land in the West Bank on a daily basis. The process started in the 40s, but it's ongoing

So? Presumably the coworker has a home in America.

The Palestinian diaspora is large, but not that large. Most Palestinians have friends or family who are still in Gaza. A former congressman’s family members couldn’t even hide in a church and were killed, for Pete’s sake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t let it go. He knows he’s being provocative. I’d talk to HR.

HR isnt your friend. Their job is to limit risk. If there isn’t a clear violation then the person who thinks there’s a clear violation becomes the highest risk.

THIS. Do not go to HR!

As most people have already advised, just keep quiet. Don’t bring politics into the workplace like this person does.

This is the sort of thing HR was made for. At my company, we had a thread on the intranet about “I stand with Palestine.” HR came down on it like a ton of bricks, removing the thread and reminding everyone that sensitive topics like these had no place at work.