Financial Power Clash with Student Protests

College students in the United States have been actively protesting the war in Gaza, facing backlash from powerful figures in the financial world such as investors, lawyers, and bankers. These influential individuals have exerted their financial leverage over universities, leading to the removal of school leaders in some instances.

Sullivan & Cromwell’s Approach to Anti-Israel Protests

Sullivan & Cromwell, a well-established Wall Street law firm with clients like Goldman Sachs and Amazon, has taken a direct stance against protesters. The firm has indicated that participation in anti-Israel protests, whether on or off campus, could potentially disqualify job applicants.

The firm is closely monitoring students’ activities through background checks, examining their involvement in pro-Palestinian groups, scrutinizing social media posts, and reviewing protest footage and news reports. They are specifically looking for instances of antisemitism and statements deemed “triggering” to the Jewish community.

Candidates may face consequences even if they did not use problematic language themselves but were part of a protest where such language was present. According to Joseph C. Shenker from Sullivan & Cromwell, individuals should be held accountable for the actions of those around them, as failing to do so would signify an acceptance of a “mob mentality.” The firm did not disclose whether any candidates had been rejected under this policy yet.

Addressing Racist Antisemitism

Joseph C. Shenker expressed concern about the transformation of outrage over the Gaza situation into racist antisemitism. Sullivan & Cromwell’s scrutiny of protesters aims to combat such behavior and uphold standards of professionalism and respect.