“Never Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste”: Internal documents show Cisco’s growing collaboration with the Israeli military over the course of the genocide in Gaza.
This is what comprehensive, meaningful journalism looks like. So grateful we have this - now more than ever. Thanks for the excellent reporting, Maz.
This part really sums up the catastrophe of our corporate-governed existence:
"On March 25 of that year, a Cisco executive told employees in a company-wide call that “Some topics are just simply too hard, too painful, too divisive, and they take our focus away from our ability to drive Cisco business, and one example specifically would be the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.” The executive added that, “We have made the decision that this topic cannot be discussed, cannot be debated in company or organization-wide meetings.”"
I'm going to de-fluff this statement by paring it down - let's see if it feels a little more on point:
"Some topics take our focus away from our ability to drive Cisco business. One example would be the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This topic cannot be discussed in company or organization-wide meetings."
100%. Also, for anyone thinking "Isn't that just how businesses operate? They're supposed to be apolitical "- it's not how Cisco operates. This is a company that has been patting itself on the back for YEARS for "standing up for what is right."
Chuck Robbins in 2022: "At Cisco, we strongly and unequivocally condemn the unjustified war being waged by Russia, and the violence that has been unleashed upon innocent civilians."
Chuck Robbins in 2020: "As I've said, we need ACTION to eradicate racism, inequality, and injustice. The first step for @Cisco is committing $5M to @eji_org, @NAACP_LDF, @colorofchange, @blklivesmatter & our own fund for Fighting Racism and Discrimination. This is just the beginning. #BlackLivesMatter"
But when employees ask questions about the nature of these Israeli military contracts, all of a sudden it's "too painful" to be discussed... No, Chuck. What's painful is having to wake up every day and wonder if your labor is directly enabling soldiers to massacre your own family members!
(They later reneged on that pledge btw. They gave to a couple of those orgs but mysteriously changed their minds about Black Lives Matter. So I guess in a sense their actions have actually been remarkably consistent. They'll say whatever makes them look good, but at the end of the day they're only ever acting in their own financial interests 🤮 )
Most corporations treated Diversity, equity and inclusion as a checklist for marketing purposes. No fundamental change. The only folks who benefited were white women who like in politics uphold the current system.
When you hear of any company that markets itself as socially responsible, just laugh (as it's laughing at you). There's no such think as a socially responsible corporation: it's an oxymoron. This Cisco Zionism connection surprises me not one bit.
Time to sue in every country that these companies operate by people of Palestinian origin who have family killed or injured in the genocide or are impacted by Apartheid policies in West Bank & Jerusalem. One victory is all we need to set precedent and turn the tide. All these companies that profited from Genocide must be made to pay reparations, apologize and fund genocide memorial museums.
The US is nothing but corruption and greed. Formerly it was well hidden. Now it is out in the open. Truly hateful.
Time to pay attention to the mechanism or patterns before it goes back to covert and smooth messaging
This is what comprehensive, meaningful journalism looks like. So grateful we have this - now more than ever. Thanks for the excellent reporting, Maz.
This part really sums up the catastrophe of our corporate-governed existence:
"On March 25 of that year, a Cisco executive told employees in a company-wide call that “Some topics are just simply too hard, too painful, too divisive, and they take our focus away from our ability to drive Cisco business, and one example specifically would be the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.” The executive added that, “We have made the decision that this topic cannot be discussed, cannot be debated in company or organization-wide meetings.”"
I'm going to de-fluff this statement by paring it down - let's see if it feels a little more on point:
"Some topics take our focus away from our ability to drive Cisco business. One example would be the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This topic cannot be discussed in company or organization-wide meetings."
Drives a little different...
100%. Also, for anyone thinking "Isn't that just how businesses operate? They're supposed to be apolitical "- it's not how Cisco operates. This is a company that has been patting itself on the back for YEARS for "standing up for what is right."
Chuck Robbins in 2022: "At Cisco, we strongly and unequivocally condemn the unjustified war being waged by Russia, and the violence that has been unleashed upon innocent civilians."
Chuck Robbins in 2020: "As I've said, we need ACTION to eradicate racism, inequality, and injustice. The first step for @Cisco is committing $5M to @eji_org, @NAACP_LDF, @colorofchange, @blklivesmatter & our own fund for Fighting Racism and Discrimination. This is just the beginning. #BlackLivesMatter"
But when employees ask questions about the nature of these Israeli military contracts, all of a sudden it's "too painful" to be discussed... No, Chuck. What's painful is having to wake up every day and wonder if your labor is directly enabling soldiers to massacre your own family members!
(They later reneged on that pledge btw. They gave to a couple of those orgs but mysteriously changed their minds about Black Lives Matter. So I guess in a sense their actions have actually been remarkably consistent. They'll say whatever makes them look good, but at the end of the day they're only ever acting in their own financial interests 🤮 )
Most corporations treated Diversity, equity and inclusion as a checklist for marketing purposes. No fundamental change. The only folks who benefited were white women who like in politics uphold the current system.
Excellent report, Murtaza -- what an indictment of the unethical practices of Cisco.
American companies that enable military operations of Israel are accessories to the deaths and destruction of Gaza and Lebanon.
We need to have a boycott and disinvestment movement, same as we had for apartheid South Africa in the 80s.
The more reports of such collusion with Israel, the more shame and boycotts are possible.
Cisco executives have sold their souls.
When you hear of any company that markets itself as socially responsible, just laugh (as it's laughing at you). There's no such think as a socially responsible corporation: it's an oxymoron. This Cisco Zionism connection surprises me not one bit.
Sometimes I think that corporations developped orwellian proficiency before the MSM and politicians
And it oozed to our public opinion attention channels from there. And to the political system
Public corporation mission statement laboratory
Time to sue in every country that these companies operate by people of Palestinian origin who have family killed or injured in the genocide or are impacted by Apartheid policies in West Bank & Jerusalem. One victory is all we need to set precedent and turn the tide. All these companies that profited from Genocide must be made to pay reparations, apologize and fund genocide memorial museums.