Josh Kushner defends tech CEO amid backlash for Israel visit
- Patrick Collison, the CEO of Stripe, posted an image of Tel Aviv's beachfront, attracting criticism from pro-Palestinian activists.
- Josh Kushner, his brother and venture capitalist, defended Collison on social media, expressing sadness over the hatred directed towards Jews.
- The incident highlights the tensions between criticism of Israel and accusations of anti-Semitism.
In late November 2023, billionaire venture capitalist Josh Kushner, known for his familial ties to former President Donald Trump, publicly defended Patrick Collison, the CEO of Stripe, who faced backlash for sharing a photo of Tel Aviv. This incident arose after Collison, whose company is partially owned by Kushner's venture capital firm Thrive Capital, posted an image of the beachfront promenade. His post triggered negative responses from pro-Palestinian supporters, leading to a call for a boycott of Stripe. Kushner expressed his sadness over the hatred directed at Jewish individuals in light of the situation. This public statement from Kushner is notable as he typically refrains from engaging in politically charged discourse. Following Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which led to heightened tensions regarding Israel and Palestine, Kushner's comments reflect a personal stake in the broader narrative, having family ties deeply affected by historical anti-Semitism. The discourse surrounding the tweet highlights the complex relationship between criticism of Israeli policies and allegations of anti-Semitism, as articulated by activist Paul Biggar, who argued that dissent against Israel's actions should not be conflated with hatred towards Jews. The situation illustrates the ongoing tensions and divisions that shape the dialogue around Israel and Palestine, where political statements can amplify existing animosities and draw vehement reactions from opposing perspectives.