JLens conducts advocacy with approximately 500 of the largest U.S. public companies on behalf of Jewish institutional and individual shareholders. JLens’ advocacy is focused on combating antisemitism and hate, supporting Israel, and addressing critical Tikkun Olam issues. Please read about some notable examples of JLens’ recent advocacy efforts.
Countering Anti-Israel Shareholder Proposals
JLens conducted a successful campaign against an anti-Israel shareholder proposal on Amazon’s 2024 Proxy Statement brought forward by a BDS proponent, which we believe sought to end Amazon’s $1.2B cloud-computing contract with the Israeli government [1]. Shareholder support halved from 34% [2] in 2023 to ~17% [3] in 2024, including a flip from “FOR” to “AGAINST” by Charles Schwab, State Street and other large institutional shareholders [4].
JLens led a campaign to oppose an anti-Israel shareholder proposal introduced by a BDS proponent on the 2024 RTX Proxy Statement which we believe sought to deprive Israel of essential defensive tools, including the Iron Dome system. Our efforts contributed to the proposal receiving a significantly low vote of 5.5% [5], especially in comparison to similar proposals at other defense companies during the same period.
Antisemitism Training and Religious Inclusion in the Workplace
We have ongoing engagements with semiconductor company Applied Materials, which has now implemented antisemitism training for its employees and adopted all of JLens’ best practices for religious inclusion, including floating holidays, flexible dress codes, and designated prayer spaces. JLens continues to engage other companies on implementing best practices to foster religious inclusion, including forming Jewish Employee Resource Groups.
Combating Online Hate & Harassment
In 2023, 70% of Jewish adults experienced some form of harassment in online multiplayer games [6]. JLens has been actively advocating for stronger policies against hate in video games at EA, which makes popular games like FIFA, Madden, and Apex Legends. We are working with the company to produce transparency reports that will help us assess the company’s current content moderation measures and advocate for additional steps to ensure their gaming communities remain safe from antisemitism and other forms of extremism.
Promoting Responsible Business in Israel
We engaged with Marriott regarding its efforts in Israel following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The company provided support for employees by offering hotel accommodations to those who felt unsafe at home and hosted hundreds of evacuated families in its properties, as well as provided programming for the kids to help alleviate stress.
JLens engaged with Microsoft on their response to October 7th. Microsoft supported Israel through various initiatives, including developing an AI-powered PTSD screening chatbot and enhancing remote learning tools. The company also provided technology access to evacuees, partnered with NGOs to assist vulnerable populations, and supported local businesses through fairs and donations.
Supporting Child Safety Online
JLens filed an exempt solicitation supporting a proposal at Meta that asked for the company to report on the measures Meta takes to ensure child safety. That proposal received 18.5% of votes (or 59.1% of shares not held by Mark Zuckerberg), a high number that signals to the company the importance of addressing this issue [7].
Removing Antisemitic Products
JLens successfully advocated for Target to remove hateful and misinformed Holocaust denial books from its product offerings, leading the company to take down the content and review its policies. Sources like these falsify and minimize the Holocaust, but are published and promoted as truthful accounts to consumers who may not have the information and education to understand this.
[1] Shareholder Proposal 6 on Amazon’s Proxy Statement for 2024: https://s2.q4cdn.com/299287126/files/doc_financials/
2024/ar/Amazon-com-Inc-2024-Proxy-Statement.pdf
[2] Amazon’s 8-K SEC filing from May 26, 2023 in which they disclose the proxy voting results: https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.
cloudfront.net/CIK-0001018724/eecaed92-8fa7-4bde-b11d-06668d10eb16.pdf
[3] Amazon’s 8-K SEC filing from May 24, 2024 in which they disclose the proxy voting results: https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.
cloudfront.net/CIK-0001018724/069df373-8bf7-45d8-adf9-769a48cebbff.pdf
[4] Proxy Analytics and Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) Proxy Voting Services platforms
[5] Proxy Analytics software subscription. www.proxy-analytics.com
[6] Anti Defamation League, Hate is No Game: Hate and Harassment in Online Games 2023, https://www.adl.org/resources/
report/hate-no-game-hate-and-harassment-online-games-2023.
[7] Proxy Analytics software subscription. www.proxy-analytics.com
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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