My farewell letter to Google

To Sundar Pichai Google YouTube

As some of you know, I have been battling multiple sclerosis, which has unfortunately led to my permanent disability. This journey began with symptoms that I initially attributed to workplace stress, only to be diagnosed later in life. Despite these challenges, I am now compelled to reassess my values and legacy in light of the injustices faced by my people.

I proudly identify as African and Palestinian. My Palestinian heritage traces back to Yaffa, where my family suffered devastating losses during the first Palestinian genocide? of 1948 at the hands of European settlers (modern-day Israelis). This tragedy included the loss of my family members Fatima, Nasser, and Mohamed in their teenage years. In addition to the displacement of my family from Tal Al Rabi (settler name Tel Aviv) to Gaza where they settled in a refugee?camp for the past 76 years. Furthermore, my grandfather Ahmed was brutally shot by an Israeli officer in 1967, leaving an indelible mark on our family's history. These personal experiences underscore the ongoing violence and displacement endured by Palestinians. You can read more about the historical context of Palestinian displacement here .

During my tenure at YouTube, I witnessed the horrific bombing of Gaza by the Israeli Offense Forces, resulting in the deaths of over 1200 Palestinians. The calls with Israeli colleagues during this time often included disturbingly racist remarks about my Palestinian brethren, which I found deeply troubling but felt compelled to endure silently for fear of professional repercussions.

Since October 8, 2023, the Israeli Offense Forces have killed 211 of my family members in Gaza and subjected the rest to starvation and inhumane conditions. This tragic loss has shaken me to the core and intensified my resolve to speak out against these atrocities.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with an estimated death toll now reaching 186,000 Palestinians , most of whom are innocent civilians and children. This ongoing crisis has been exacerbated by Israeli military actions and blockades, amounting to what the United Nations has recently recognized as genocide. You can read more about the UN's ruling on Israel's actions here .

Regrettably, due to my disability, Google terminated my employment, claiming an inability to accommodate my condition. In light of this decision, I am reaching out not for personal support but to urge you to stand against the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians.

I have taken personal action to assist Palestinian families, including raising funds to facilitate the safe passage of my cousins including seven children and their mother out of Gaza amidst dire circumstances. However, the situation for millions of Palestinians remains critical, with severe humanitarian crises exacerbated by ongoing Israeli Offense Forces ethnic cleansing of Palestinians?and border blockades.

For those interested in taking a stand against human rights violations in Palestine and supporting efforts for justice, resources and opportunities to take action can be found here .

If you are queer or an ally, don't fall into Pink Washing?of the Israeli 76 years campaign of ethnic cleansing Palestinians. I quote the jewish writer Stefanie Fox - "The work of A Wider Bridge uses this well-documented “pinkwashing” tactic as a part of “Brand Israel,” a campaign launched by Israel in 2005 to counter its increasing international isolation. Rather than address Israel’s human rights violations – the root cause of the concern in the international community – the Israeli government decided instead to direct international attention away from its treatment of Palestinians by promoting Israel as a model of progressive modernity and portraying Palestinians (if at all) with Islamophobic and racist tropes."

Remember Dr King's quote :?“When the oppressed, the poor, the weak are under attack, when their homes are stolen or demolished, when they are forced to migrate and to live in unspeakable conditions, in open-air prisons, concentration camps, perpetually as refugees under occupation, we must speak. We must speak when Jewish children are brutally killed in the name of liberation, when antisemitism and Islamophobia slip in through the back door of supposedly progressive spaces. When Palestinian children in refugee camps are bombed and killed, when schools and hospitals and entire neighborhoods are laid waste, we must speak.”

Yes I might be imobile, blind, or dead due to my disability if not today possibly tomorrow. I made peace with my legacy. My legacy is that I continue to stand up for Palestinian, Black, Indigenous, Trans, Disabled?justice. What will be your legacy??

Thank you for considering my message. Together, we can make a difference and uphold justice for all.

X-Googler