Three “TED Talks” Members Resign Over Choice of Bill Ackman as 2024 Main Stage Speaker

Three “TED Talks” Members Resign Over Choice of Bill Ackman as 2024 Main Stage Speaker

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The renowned organization behind the highbrow “TED Talks” lecture series is grappling with controversy as three senior members resigned, citing an alleged anti-Palestinian stance. As was reported by the New York Post on Wednesday, astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz, filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky, and entrepreneur Ayah Bdeir co-signed a resignation letter, expressing their refusal to be associated with an organization that, in their view, honors vocal supporters of Israel’s actions against Palestinians.

The trio specifically pointed to the inclusion of Bill Ackman as a 2024 main stage speaker, claiming that Ackman has defended Israel’s actions, referring to them as “genocide and ethnic cleansing.” The report in the Post said that they cited Ackman’s posts, including one where he questioned criticism of Israel dropping leaflets in Gaza, suggesting Palestinians evacuate. Ackman defended the move, stating that Israel was encouraging civilians to leave a war zone.

“What is wrong with this warning? Israel is trying to encourage civilians to evacuate from a war zone. What am I missing?” Ackman asked at the time, according to the Post report.

The three former senior fellows accused Ackman of cynically weaponizing anti-Semitism to suppress pro-Palestinian freedom of speech on American university campuses, as was noted in the Post report. They referenced Ackman’s statement that “Anti-Israel has become anti-Semitism.” In response, Ackman affirmed his unapologetic support for Israel, denouncing anti-Semitism and terrorism while expressing strong support for the Palestinian people.

Walkowicz, Taji Farouky, and Bdeir criticized TED for not including any Palestinian speakers in its 2024 lineup. According to the information provided in the Post report, they argued that even if Palestinian speakers were included, TED’s alignment with individuals they perceive as enablers and supporters of genocide undermines the organization’s credibility. The letter concluded with a firm declaration of support for a free Palestine.

“Attempts to cancel speech and eliminate the free and respectful exchange of ideas among people with differing views are driving much of the divisiveness that plagues our nation,” Ackman told The Post on Wednesday.

The resignation letter garnered support from other TED Fellows, former program members, and a TED speaker who added their names “in solidarity” with the three resigning members, the report in the Post said.

TED, led by Chris Anderson and TED Fellows’ director Lily James Olds, now faces the challenge of addressing the concerns raised by the resigning members and their supporters, as per the report in the Post.

Amid the controversy surrounding the resignations of three senior members from TED’s Fellows Program, a Google form has emerged, allowing individuals to endorse the content of the resignation letter. The Post reported that the move aims to gather support from a broader audience beyond those formally associated with TED, fostering solidarity with the critiques raised in the letter. The form, shared by Saeed Taji Farouky in a post on Wednesday, welcomes signatures on a rolling basis and expresses gratitude to endorsers with a watermelon emoji—a symbol associated with solidarity with Palestine, the Post report added.

The Google form emphasizes that showing solidarity is not limited to those with formal ties to TED, making it open to anyone who agrees with the critiques outlined in the resignation letter. This approach aims to garner support from a diverse range of individuals who share concerns about TED’s alleged anti-Palestinian stance.

The use of a watermelon emoji as a token of gratitude holds significance, as the fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. As was reported in the Post, the colors of the watermelon—red, black, white, and green—coincidentally mirror those of the Palestinian flag.

The TED Fellows Program, as described on its website, offers individuals the opportunity to deliver a TED Talk and provides access to expert coaches for refining and communicating their work and ideas, the report in the Post said. Fellows also benefit from career coaching, mentorship, public relations guidance, and media training. The program is designed to support and amplify the impact of participants’ contributions across various fields.

Despite the growing controversy and widespread attention, representatives for TED have not yet responded to requests for comment from The Post. The silence leaves room for speculation and raises questions about how TED plans to address the concerns raised by the resigning members and the broader community.

Saeed Taji Farouky, the UK-based filmmaker who shared the Google form, declined to comment beyond the contents of the resignation letter. The Post has also sought comments from Lucianne Walkowicz, a Chicago-based astronomer at Adler Planetarium, and Ayah Bdeir, the New York-based founder of electronics startup LittleBits. Their responses may shed further light on the motivations behind the resignations and the issues at the core of the controversy.

TED’s response, or lack thereof, will play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and determining how the organization addresses the concerns raised by both the resigning members and the wider community.