Jewish rights groups urged shareholders at Google’s parent company Alphabet to reject a proposal that would require the company to investigate whether its cloud-computing services — specifically those used in Israel’s Project Nimbus — contribute to human rights abuses in conflict zones.
The proposal, which will be voted on at Alphabet’s annual shareholder meeting on June 6, takes aim at the company’s technology contracts with the Israeli government, including services used by both civilian agencies and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“Proposal 9 offers the pretense of concern for human rights when in fact it is a thinly disguised ploy to weaken Israel’s national security — and to undermine its right to defend itself — by pressuring Alphabet to withhold vital technology that supports the country’s self-defense capabilities,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League.
“We believe this proposal is closely aligned with the objectives of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, whose goal is to delegitimize the State of Israel.”
The proposal calls on Alphabet to commission an independent third-party report assessing whether its products and services are being used to cause or contribute to human rights harms in “conflict-affected and high-risk areas” (CAHRA).
It specifically highlights the company’s involvement in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion joint cloud project with Amazon that has drawn criticism from anti-Israel activists and protest groups.
Alphabet’s board of directors has joined the ADL in recommending that shareholders vote against the measure, according to the proxy statement released by the company ahead of the meeting.
Critics argue the proposal distorts the nature of Project Nimbus, portraying it solely as a military initiative while ignoring its civilian applications across Israeli ministries of healthcare, finance, education and transportation.
Also opposing the measure is JLens, a registered investment advisor representing over 300 Jewish institutions with more than $2 billion in invested assets.
The group promotes Jewish values through shareholder advocacy and impact investing and has been vocal in its opposition to proposals it deems politically motivated or anti-Israel.
“Alphabet’s shareholders should see this proposal for what it is: an attempt to misuse the proxy process to advance a divisive political agenda that has no place in corporate governance,” said Ari Hoffnung, Managing Director of JLens.
“Proposal 9 not only distorts the purpose of Project Nimbus — it also risks undermining shareholder value by inserting geopolitics into decisions about lawful, commercially sound partnerships.”
JLens has filed a Notice of Exempt Solicitation with the Securities and Exchange Commission to formally oppose the measure.
The Post has sought comment from Alphabet.
The vote comes in the wake of the October 7, 2023 terror attacks in Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people and led to hundreds more getting dragged back to Gaza as hostages.
ADL and JLens argue that restricting access to Alphabet’s technology in such a volatile environment would compromise civilian safety and critical infrastructure.
Alphabet has faced growing pressure over its Israeli partnerships.
In April 2024, the company fired 28 employees after internal protests over Project Nimbus.
Earlier this year, the tech giant faced further backlash for acquiring Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz, a deal condemned by BDS-aligned organizers.
One protest targeted the home of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, with banners labeling him a “genocide profiteer.”
