Google committed more than $8 million to nonprofits providing relief to those affected by the Israel-Gaza conflict, the tech giant announced in a blog post.
“Our Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Googlers are deeply affected by a concerning rise in Islamophobia, and are watching with dread as Palestinian civilians in Gaza have suffered significant loss and fear for their lives amid the escalating war and humanitarian crisis,” the statement read.
Google.org is committing “$3 million for local emergency response, and psychological and emotional support for victims, children and families” in Israel.
The philanthropic arm is also providing “$3 million to aid organizations providing support for people in Gaza, including through Save the Children, which is providing essentials — food, shelter, and psychological support.”
Googlers raised over $1 million with a company match, while the company is donating $1 million in Search Ads for nonprofits to “provide information to those looking to help.”
Meanwhile, Google notes how the Israeli Ministry of Education is using Meet video calling as “their core teach-from-home platform and we’re providing support.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently demanded the immediate release of hostages by Hamas and urged Israel to expedite humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
Guterres also warned that the Middle East was “on the brink of abyss.” Highlighting the dire situation, he mentioned that Gaza faces a severe shortage of essentials like water, electricity, and other fundamental supplies.
He emphasized the UN’s readiness to dispatch crucial reserves of food, medicine, and fuel from neighboring regions, including Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank, and Israel. However, a safe and immediate passage is imperative to deliver these supplies across Gaza.
The Secretary-General strongly advocated for the hostages’ unconditional release by Hamas. He emphasized that the objectives of humanitarian aid and hostage release should not be seen as trade-offs.
“Both actions hold intrinsic value and should be executed as they are the right course of action,” Guterres stated, emphasizing the urgency given the region’s precarious state.
