Words and actions matter.
At times like these, not only words but actions matter.
Over the past days, we have witnessed the tragic impact of the brutal attack by Hamas on Israel. We unequivocally condemn this and all acts of terrorism. The heartbreaking murder of civilians, including children, has also triggered an escalation, resulting in yet more bloodshed in Israel and Gaza. This is now a full-scale humanitarian crisis, and we are working to support those who are suffering.
I am pleased that our fundraising appeal launched last week through the UBS Optimus Foundation to support emergency humanitarian relief has resulted in USD 10m pledged in donations and matching so far, with a further USD 2.5m remaining for further matching.
UBS Optimus Foundation has a long track record of responding to humanitarian crises, with a focus on helping children and families, and we have identified the first four relief partners to support our efforts:
International Committee of the Red Cross is an independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate to help people affected by armed conflict and other violence, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
Magen David Adom (MDA), which is a member of the International Red Cross / Red Crescent and serves as the Israeli Red Cross organization.
American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), which is working with partners on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank to provide humanitarian relief.
领英推荐
UJA Federation, which we will work with to deploy funds to its extensive network of organizations on the ground in Israel providing humanitarian aid in the immediate term, as well as support for recovery and resilience in the longer term.
We are also thinking of and preparing for the future, and may continue to expand our network of partners over time to focus on the long-term, providing aid with resettlement and educational continuity for displaced families, and supporting community-driven approaches to a resilient recovery. Importantly, we also are focused on ensuring the safety of our employees in Israel.
Anguish, fear and uncertainty are impacting people across the world – including many of our colleagues and their families – as protests take place and hate crimes are being committed in many cities and communities. There is never a justification for terrorism, hate-fueled violence or any form of ethnic or religious bigotry.
UBS stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, including both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and we stand with all who are working toward a swift and peaceful resolution.
This is the internal memo that I shared with UBS colleagues on Monday 16 October.
Project Manager at FTI Consulting
1 年Thank you so much for standing up against hate. We need more leaders like you.
Thank you for your support Sergio P. Ermotti Following the Oct-07 terror attack again Israel, there has been a staggering 388% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S compared to the same period a year ago. This affects Jewish and Israeli employees globally. The 'When Silence Speaks Volumes' initiative, in partnership with the Israeli-American Council and StandWithUs, has joined forces to address this critical issue head-on. More than 200 CEOs and founders have already joined us! We invite you to stand with us by signing our letters. https://www.whensilencespeaksvolumes.com/
In service to the world
1 年I think UBS has a role to play, as well as other large financial institutions, in standing against investors/clients who manufacture and sell arms/weapons, the very thing that leads to this "full-scale humanitarian crisis". If humans didn't have access to endless weaponry, I think we would just scream at one another, and throw some punches. That sounds so much more reasonable than the bomb-dropping and chemical poisons used today. Is UBS currently considering its ROLE in the arms production & sales supply chain? Or are the returns too good to "go there"? To me, this is where a bank of your size could make a huge impact and save helpless children and families caught in the middle. And save our world.
Chief Executive & Investment Officer at Nevé Capital Limited
1 年Thank you UBS
Gastroenterologin
1 年I just love the way you expose yourself, speak plainly, show empathy and responsibility, and above all, you don't just talk, you act. It would be nice if other leaders in finance, industry and politics would follow your example. And we should all learn something from you - we should not just complain, rely on governments, but try, even on a small scale, to make the world a little better again. We should observe the rules of humanism and respect the dignity of the human being. The freedom of the individual ends where the freedom of the other begins (Kant). ??