On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced a brutal terrorist attack by Hamas. In the wake of such tragedy, global corporations faced significant questions about how they would respond—not only in terms of supporting their own employees on the ground in Israel, but also whether and how they would stand by Israeli communities in their time of need.
JLens has engaged with numerous companies about their response to the October 7 attacks, inquiring about the company’s assistance to employees and community recovery and ensuring that companies know that investors value their continued presence in Israel. This engagement with companies is part of a long-term research and advocacy priority for JLens to encourage companies to invest in Israel and engage meaningfully with local communities.
In this post, we highlight corporate actions across four key areas: crisis response, employee support, philanthropic aid, and long-term commitment to Israel’s future. These examples show how companies can go beyond statements to deliver real, on-the-ground impact for employees, communities, and society.
Crisis Response
In times of crisis, corporate responsibility extends beyond immediate business operations to encompass proactive support for local communities and dedicated care for employee welfare. Following the events of October 7, 2023, many companies swiftly transitioned their community engagement activities to address urgent humanitarian needs, while prioritizing employee safety and emotional well-being.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Enterprise Software 
- Campus as a Refuge: Microsoft Israel’s campus turned portions of its facilities into safe spaces for evacuees who fled affected areas.
- Solidarity Efforts: The company organized a “Thank You” event for military reservists, displayed a bright yellow heart on its building to call attention to kidnapped and missing individuals, and even held an adoption event for stray dogs displaced by the war.
McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD), Fast Food 
- Food Distribution: McDonald’s Israel has made a significant impact by distributing 100,000 free meals to soldiers, hospitals, and first responders. Complementing its Global Hunger Relief Campaign participation, the company’s local teams hosted 11 additional volunteer events to support year-round hunger relief efforts within the community.
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), Hotels & Resorts 
- Hosting Refugees and Families: Marriott properties opened their doors to over 400 displaced Israeli families, providing lodging and meals at no cost.
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Pharmaceuticals 
- Donations and Medical Support: Eli Lilly committed an initial donation of $500,000 to humanitarian response organizations in Israel, with the Lilly Foundation matching contributions up to the same amount. The company also donated three intensive care mobile units and two advanced monitoring systems to Magen David Adom, enhancing emergency medical response capabilities.
ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), Enterprise Software 
- Honoring Murdered Employees: ServiceNow honored the memory of their employee, Shlomi Sividia, who was tragically killed at the Nova Music Festival. Recognizing Shlomi’s deep passion for music, ServiceNow awarded a grant to Bar-Ilan University’s Keilim Shluvim program—a unique initiative within the Department of Music that provides comprehensive musical education to adults with disabilities.
Helping to Ensure Employee Safety and Customer Well-Being
Immediately following October 7, 2023, many companies focused on employees on the ground—checking that everyone was safe, providing financial and emotional support, and then pivoting to a broader humanitarian or community-focused lens.
AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), Pharmaceuticals 
- Employee-Centered Response: AbbVie mobilized immediately to help ensure every local employee was safe and had the resources they needed—ranging from providing paid leave to financial support.
- Continuing Patient Care: The company’s second priority was securing an uninterrupted supply of medicines to the region, recognizing the heightened importance of ensuring medical stability during a crisis.
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), Hotels & Resorts
- Supporting Associates on the Ground: With five hotels in Israel, Marriott offered complimentary stays to employees worried about commuting or unsafe home conditions.
- Financial Aid for Employees: Through the Marriott Disaster Relief Fund, the company provided essential goods and monetary support to workers whose lives were disrupted by the attacks.
- Comprehensive Employee and Community Support: Marriott also implemented work-from-home options and established HR hotlines for immediate support.
Viatris (NASDAQ: VTRS), Pharmaceuticals 
- The company expanded its Employee Assistance Program with additional emergency resources and hosted a webinar with Unmind to help colleagues cope with the challenges of war, addressing both immediate and longer-term needs.
Rapid Philanthropic Support and Donations
Following October 7, many corporations leveraged their global platforms and foundations to donate millions of dollars, often announcing multi-pronged philanthropic efforts.
AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), Pharmaceuticals
- Humanitarian Aid: AbbVie announced a $1 million donation to four nonprofit partners: Direct Relief, Project Hope, International Medical Corps, and UNICEF.
- Matching Employee Donations: AbbVie rolled out a generous matching program—contributing $2 for every $1 employee donation (and $3 per $1 for anti-hate nonprofits).
Accenture (NYSE: ACN), Consulting & Research 
- Immediate Donation: In the immediate wake of October 7, Accenture donated $1.5 million to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service.
- Employee Gift Matching: Accenture matched employees’ personal donations dollar-for-dollar to multiple nonprofits supporting Israel and Gaza. By mid-October 2023, employees had donated nearly $200,000.
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Banking 
- Swift Support to Israeli Relief Efforts: Days after the attack, Bank of America announced donations to Magen David Adom, Leket Israel (food security), and United Hatzalah (emergency services).
- Doubling Down: Two weeks later, the bank doubled its original commitment to reflect rapidly evolving humanitarian needs.
Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Media 
- Large-Scale Donation: The Walt Disney Company donated $2 million to nonprofit groups delivering relief in the region, including $1 million to Magen David Adom and $1 million toward children-focused organizations.
- Employee Giving: Disney activated its Matching Gifts program—matching employees’ donations to eligible charities up to $25,000 per employee.
Merck (NYSE: MRK), Pharmaceuticals 
- $1 Million Commitment: Merck pledged $1 million toward mobilizing aid in Israel, along with donations of critical-care medicines.
PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), Beverage 
- $1 Million for Urgent Relief: The PepsiCo Foundation pledged $1 million to humanitarian organizations active in both Israel and Gaza.
- Employee Matching: Employees donating to nonprofits addressing immediate needs saw their contributions matched at a 2-to-1 rate, further amplifying the overall impact.
Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), Enterprise Software 
- $1 Million to Magen David Adom: Oracle jump-started its corporate response with a $1 million donation.
- Global Employee Drive: The company then launched a global fundraising campaign among its 150,000 employees, pledging to double the total amount raised for emergency medical services.
Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), Software As A Service 
- Financial Contributions: Salesforce committed $1 million each to United Hatzalah, Save the Children, and The Association for Immediate Help for Holocaust Survivors to deliver basic aid, food, medical supplies, and mental health support. The company also donated $1 million to the World Food Program in Gaza and $400,000 to High Tech for Israel.
Viatris (NASDAQ: VTRS), Pharmaceuticals
- Humanitarian Aid: Viatris made significant donations to relief organizations such as American Friends of Magen David Adom, Save the Children, and the International Red Cross.
Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), Investment Banking & Brokerage 
- Encouraging Wider Involvement: Goldman pledged $2 million and matched employee donations, through a tiered system—matching smaller contributions at a 3-to-1 ratio and larger ones at 1-to-1. All full-time employees (excluding partners) could use the match to boost contributions to humanitarian organizations aiding Israelis and Palestinians.
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDS), Semiconductors 
- $15 Million in Corporate and Employee Donations: NVIDIA and its employees contributed significantly to nonprofit organizations providing civilian relief in Israel.
International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM), Technology Consulting 
- Matched Fundraiser: IBM launched a fundraiser partnering with two Israeli organizations to provide critical support, including medical aid, food, and housing assistance. Every donation was matched 1:1 by IBM, amplifying community support and underscoring the company’s commitment to long-term social impact.
Standing by Israel’s Future
After October 7, 2023, a number of companies demonstrated their commitment to Israel’s future by not only supporting their employees in Israel but openly championing the country’s innovation ecosystem and doubling-down on existing community initiatives.
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Media 
- $25 Million Skills Development Program: Announced prior to the October 7 attack, Google committed to a $25 million initiative to fund a skills development program for underrepresented communities in Israel, such as ultra-Orthodox and Arab professionals and women, over the next five years.
- Support for Palestinian Tech: Google also noted an upcoming initiative for the Palestinian tech sector, highlighting a holistic approach to the region’s human capital development.
International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM), Technology Consulting
- Strengthening Talent Pipelines and Community Engagement: According to a company engagement with JLens, IBM is building a robust talent pipeline in Israel. Their comprehensive program focuses on high schoolers, preparing them for university or certification programs while simultaneously fostering cross-community collaboration between Jewish and Arab groups.
Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL), Semiconductors 
- Volunteer Projects: Marvell employees participated in over 30 volunteer projects across Israel, including establishing community gardens, assisting local farmers with harvesting, refurbishing furniture for displaced citizens, and supporting technological initiatives aimed at empowering youth in peripheral regions.
KLA Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC), Semiconductors 
- Community Initiatives: KLA provided support for the New Israel Fund’s work with LGBTQ+ families and organized annual community events like Tu BiShvat celebrations. Employees contributed by planting therapeutic gardens and trees at local sites, benefiting at-risk children and youth, reinforcing a commitment to sustainable community development.
- Empowering Future Generations Through Education: KLA also donates to the education department of Israel’s National Museum of Science, Technology and Space, which helps expose young students to science and technology.
As this analysis demonstrates, companies that move beyond statements to deliver tangible support create lasting impact—not only during times of crisis but in building resilient foundations for the future. We call on investors and corporate leaders to recognize that sustained commitment to Israel’s innovation ecosystem and diverse communities represents both a moral imperative and a strategic opportunity for long-term value creation. JLens will continue to monitor how companies respond to Israel’s evolving needs and encourage values-driven engagement that supports both Jewish communities and Israel’s broader civil society going forward.
This blog post is the second in a series of posts about U.S. public companies and their business in Israel. You can read the first post ‘Israel at 77: Corporate Contributions to Israel’s Future’.
This post is part of our ongoing commitment to track corporate actions and support in Israel. If you have questions or want to learn more about how specific companies responded, please reach out to our team.
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment advice or an investment offering. Investors should consult with an advisor to determine the suitability of any investment option or strategy. JLens disclaims responsibility or liability for any advice given to third parties or decisions to invest in any investment or other vehicle by you or third parties based on the information. Any investment in funds involves a risk of losing money. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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