Employers Must Tread Lightly With Response to Israel-Hamas War

The complex geopolitical dynamics underpinning the deadly Israel-Hamas war are putting pressure on the workplace as employers face calls to take a stance on the conflict, a demand that risks fueling discord among workers and inviting litigation.

Employees and supporters on both sides of the conflict have criticized companies for their silence or public declarations, which they deemed inappropriate. Some law firms have rescinded job offers to law students who publicly criticized Israel’s role in the current conflict, and a federal judge said he wouldn’t hire clerks who did the same.

Employers can speak out on the conflict, but attorneys ...