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Apple CEO Tim Cook tight-lipped following Hamas attacks

By
Lydia Moynihan
Published Oct. 19, 2023, 12:58 p.m. ET

Apple and its CEO Tim Cook have been remarkably quiet when it comes to the Hamas attacks on Israel – and sources speculate it has something to do with China.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg condemned the Oct. 7 attacks as “pure evil.” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella posted he was “heartbroken by the horrific terrorist attacks.” Google CEO Sundar Pichai proclaimed his “stand against antisemitism.” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on X called the attacks on Israel “shocking and painful.” 

Meanwhile, Cook – who pulled Apple products out of Russia following the Ukraine invasion, posted an open letter on Apple’s website “speaking up on racism” and has told climate skeptics he doesn’t want them to hold Apple shares – has posted nothing on social media about Israel and Hamas since the attacks.

Indeed, the only public statement from Cook readily accessible online appears to be one he gave the Jerusalem Post earlier this week – and some tech insiders viewed it as relatively wishy-washy.

The immediate family of Yitzhak Seitan, 76, his wife, Hannah Seitan, 73, their son, Tal Seitan, 49, and his aunt Pesi Cohen, 68, grieve during the funeral at the Hod Ha'sharon cemetery, on October 18, 2023 in Hod HaSharon, Israel. The four family members were killed at Kibbutz Be'eri when Hamas militants attacked the kibbutz on October 7th.
The immediate family of Yitzhak Seitan, 76, his wife, Hannah Seitan, 73, their son, Tal Seitan, 49, and his aunt Pesi Cohen, 68, grieve during the funeral at the Hod Ha’sharon cemetery, on October 18, 2023 in Hod HaSharon, Israel. Getty Images
Apple's CEO Tim Cook leaves the venue following his speech at the China Development Forum 2023, in Beijing, China March 25, 2023. cnsphoto via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT.
via REUTERS

“I am deeply saddened by the devastating attacks in Israel and the tragic reports emerging from the region,” Cook told the newspaper in a statement published on Monday. “My heart goes out to the victims, the families who have lost their loved ones, and all those who suffer as a result of this violence.”

The statement doesn’t appear to have been published anywhere else. Some tech insiders speculate it’s because of Apple’s fragile relationship with China, which accounts for more than 20% of the company’s revenue and an estimated 95% of its manufacturing.

Apple did not respond to requests for comment.

China’s foreign minister this week reaffirmed the “just cause” of Palestinian nationalism. The country, which has been looking to expand its role as a power broker in the Middle East – even committing to invest $400 billion in Iran – has stopped short of explicitly condemning Hamas as it called for peace and criticized Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes. 

One Israeli official in Beijing, Yuval Waks, said he hoped for a “stronger condemnation” of the attacks. “When people are being murdered, slaughtered in the streets, this is not the time to call for a two-state solution,” Waks said.

Meanwhile, Tim Cook popped over to China for a surprise visit this week, cheering on gamers at an event in southwestern China. The PR stunt appeared to work: On Wednesday, the Chinese Commerce Minister issued a statement saying the country backs and “greatly values” Apple.

The terrorist attacks come in the wake of China banning iPhones for government officials at work — a move that sent Apple’s market capitalization plunging by $200 billion.

At the same time, Huawei has replaced Apple as the top smartphone maker in China, according to a Jefferies report.