Over the past year, Cisco has appeared publicly to be one of the few technology companies that has avoided internal backlash over its response to the Gaza war. Chuck Robbins, CEO of the Silicon Valley giant known for its routers, cybersecurity services and WebEx video calling, issued a statement last November acknowledging the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.
And just two months ago, Francine Katsoudas, Cisco’s head of people, policy and purpose, smiled as she posed for a photo with the company’s many employee organizations, including organizations for Palestinians. However, this photo later caused a huge controversy within the company.
Eight current and one former employee who spoke to WIRED allege that behind the scenes, Cisco alienated the company’s Palestinian advocacy group and its hundreds of members. Despite detailed complaints throughout the turbulent period that began in July, the company failed to quickly and adequately crack down on harassment of Palestinian employees and their allies in internal forums, officials said. claims. They further claim that Cisco has discontinued an internal petition to restrict sales to Israel, citing potential human rights concerns.
“We have been targeted, harassed, sabotaged and defamed,” says João Silva Jordão, a software license manager in Lisbon. “I was led to believe that humanitarian aspects were welcome at Cisco, but I was completely fooled. It’s a double standard and hypocrisy.”
On April 27, 2024, then-Cisco employee João Silva Jordon was seen wearing a T-shirt outside the Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon, causing confusion within the company.
Photo: João Silva Jordão
Jordan was spotted volunteering in Lebanon on May 3.
Photo: Ghassan Kasem
Meanwhile, another recently fired former employee said some Jewish employees at Cisco believe the company has not adequately stopped harassment of them by Palestinian groups. This person criticized the executive branch for not taking more steps to silence discussions of war by workers on both sides. “Leadership could have been done to reduce the overall confusion,” he says. “It’s a shame more wasn’t done.”
Brian Tippens, Cisco’s chief social impact and inclusion officer, disputes accusations of marginalization and unequal treatment. He said Cisco has been focused on the well-being of all 90,000 employees and apologized to anyone who felt the company was falling short of its humanitarian goals.
Tippens told WIRED that Cisco does not intend to completely shut down what it considers political speech, but issued what it called speech guidelines amid the domestic turmoil to encourage civility and respect. he said.
