How a Late Arrival Exposed Silicon Valley’s Blind Spot
Sometimes, the most mundane moments reveal profound truths. A decade ago, as Google’s Director of New Business Development, I hosted a hackathon in Tel Aviv for 800 developers. When Mohammad, a Palestinian student from Ramallah, arrived three hours late, his explanation—detention at an Israeli checkpoint—forced a reckoning: by choosing our event’s location, we’d unintentionally taken sides in a deeply political conflict.
The Tech Industry’s Political Neutrality Myth
Tech leaders often claim to avoid politics, yet in Israel and Palestine, neutrality is impossible. Consider:
- PayPal serves Israeli settlers in the West Bank but excludes Palestinians nearby.
- Airbnb lists settlement properties as part of Israel.
- Waze labels Palestinian towns as “dangerous areas.”
These aren’t malicious acts but systemic oversights with real consequences. My team at Google worked to counter this by:
- Launching a Palestinian domain (.ps)
- Adding “Palestine” to location options
- Investing in West Bank VC funds and Gaza accelerators
Yet gaps remain—like YouTube’s missing Palestinian country option.
Why Tech Must Act Now
With 6.5 million Palestinians under Israeli control, tech’s choices directly impact equality. Key realities:
- Gaza’s 45% unemployment (world’s highest) fuels despair
- Tech’s borderless nature makes it ideal for Palestinian economic growth
- Silicon Valley’s values demand inclusive action
Progress and Partnerships
Forward-thinking companies are leading the way:
- Cisco/Microsoft: Outsourcing to West Bank developers
- Google/Techstars: Funding Palestinian startups
- 500 Startups/Stripe: Executives visiting Palestine during Israel trips
A new VC working group now bridges Palestinian entrepreneurs with Silicon Valley resources.
The Path Forward
At Gaza’s 2017 AngelHack event, I witnessed untapped potential. Tech can:
- Amplify Palestinian voices in product decisions
- Expand access to payments, platforms, and capital
- Invest directly in Gaza/West Bank innovation hubs
As tech reshapes global power structures, we must ensure it lifts all communities—because innovation loses when entire populations are excluded.
Gisel Kordestani is cofounder of Crowdpac, a Council on Foreign Relations member, and former Google executive. She serves on the boards of Mercy Corps and Gaza Sky Geeks.
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