Amazon is accused of inviting pro-Palestine rapper Macklemore to speak but vetoing pro-Israeli speaker

E-commerce giant Amazon has been accused of inviting pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore to speak to its staff just days after vetoing a speech by a pro-Israel speaker.

The rapper, known for his fervent support of the Palestinian cause, was invited by Amazon to speak to a group within the company dedicated to recovering drug addicts.

But the tech giant has been accused of hypocrisy by pro-Israel activist Samantha Ettus, who claimed Amazon canceled her Zoom appearance for an unofficial “affinity group” for Jewish employees because her speech was deemed “too controversial” by HR.

An Amazon spokesperson denied the double standard to the New York Post: “Many of these claims lack important context, and it is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that we tolerate hostility in our workplace.”

The “Thrift Store” rapper, who has spoken openly about his substance abuse issues in the past, held a pre-recorded seminar that was vetted by Amazon’s HR department to ensure no political discussions would take place.

Amazon is in the middle of a controversy surrounding Ruba Borno, who wore a controversial necklace in a company video

Macklemore (pictured) was forced to apologize for alleged anti-Semitism in the past

Amazon employee Sasha Troufanov was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7

“The Recovery@ affinity group has hosted a conversation with Macklemore specifically about his personal journey, recovery and reducing workplace stigma for those recovering from substance abuse,” the HR message said, according to the New York Post.

HR said that “the team ensured the conversation would follow these themes for a conversation during National Recovery Month.”

“In reviewing the event, we have decided to move it to a pre-recorded call and will review all content before sharing it with employees,” HR added.

The lecture has since been removed from the company’s internal video portals

But critics said his activism should have kept him from speaking at Amazon.

Last month, Macklemore held a benefit concert titled “Palestine Will Live Forever,” in which he denounced Israel for carrying out what he said was a “genocide” against the Palestinians.

Macklemore spoke during his Amazon seminar about being a recovering drug addict

But Ettus said Macklemore’s activism should have kept him from speaking

Borno wore a necklace similar to the one above

He has also been a leading critic of Israel since the country began its counter-offensive against the Gaza Strip after the deadly Oct. 7 massacre, releasing a song in May called “Hind’s Hall” in which he expressed support for Palestine.

He was forced to apologize for alleged anti-Semitism after performing in fancy dress at a concert that many said evoked Jewish stereotypes.

He wore a black suit, a dark wig, a fake beard and a large prosthetic nose.

Although he claimed his outfit was a “random costume,” critics said it was a crude imitation of Hasidic Jewish fashion.

Samantha Ettus said Amazon canceled her conversation with the unofficial Jewish group, which she said Amazon refused to officially acknowledge.

“A few months ago I was invited to speak at Amazon by their Jewish group, which is not a real Jewish group because Amazon refuses to officially recognize them because they say they are a religion. [and] no ethnicity,” Ettus said in an Instagram video.

Ruba Borno attends the “Save This Rhino” National Premiere at Paramount Pictures on September 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California

As of yesterday, Ruba Borno, vice president of Global Specialists and Partner Organizations, is currently still with the e-commerce giant

Ettus said Amazon was guilty of “hypocrisy” for featuring a “known racist and anti-Semite” while canceling her speech.

‘Despite the pleas of the Jewish people [that] this is an anti-Semite and you can’t let them speak…he can speak,” Ettus said.

“So Macklemore is not controversial, but I am,” she said.

Although Jewish employees filed an official complaint with HR, it was denied.

Amazon is already under fire after one of its executives barely kept her job because she wore a controversial necklace featuring the Palestinian flag plastered over the state of Israel in a company video.

As of yesterday, Ruba Borno, vice president of Global Specialists and Partner Organizations, is still employed by the e-commerce giant.

Amazon quickly removed the video, stating that the clip was never intended to be political.

Borno, of Palestinian descent, fled Kuwait with her parents during the first Gulf War in 1990.

Troufanov, 28, an Israeli hardware engineer at an Amazon subsidiary in Tel Aviv, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with three members of his family, while his father was killed in the massacre

The family came to the United States, where Borno earned advanced degrees in electrical engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Michigan.

She has been with Amazon Web Services since November 2021, with previous roles at Experian, Cisco and the Boston Consulting Group, during which time she advised Obama’s task force on the auto industry.

The controversy emerged just days after the one-year anniversary of October 7, when 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas terrorists.

Hundreds of others were taken hostage, including Amazon employee Sasha Troufanov, who remains in captivity.

Troufanov, 28, an Israeli hardware engineer at an Amazon subsidiary in Tel Aviv, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with three members of his family, while his father was killed in the massacre.

An estimated 42,000 Palestinians have since been killed in retaliatory attacks by Israel.

The response to Borno’s video prompted dozens of Amazon customers to pledge to boycott the company in favor of the competition.

Borno also appears to have since deleted her X and Linkedin accounts.

In an article on the website of her alma mater, Borno states that she believes empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience and a sense of responsibility are important leadership qualities.

“It’s important to give credit to the team when things work out, but it’s also very important to be accountable when things go wrong,” says Borno.

‘You are the leader. You can’t blame someone else.’ She also claims that it is essential to be ‘self-aware’.

MailOnline has contacted Amazon for comment.