A batch of anti-Zionist students staged a walkout during Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s commencement speech at Stanford University according to a report by the Times of Israel. The protest was set up by the university’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and other pressure groups who said they were demonstrating against Google’s alleged business ties with Israel. “We don’t need another tech billionaire to tell us how to get rich off of the killing and surveillance of Palestinians,” Stanford SJP said as per the Israeli outlet. “Take a stance against war profiteering. Tell the Google CEO that he is not welcome.”
Why Did Students Walk Out During Sundar Pichai’s Stanford Speech?
It noted that videos show dozens of students walking out of the commencement ceremony, holding Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free Palestine.”
Sundar Pichai, MS ’95, CEO of Google and Alphabet, addressed the Class of 2026 at Stanford’s 135th Commencement ceremony.
In a speech Sunday morning Pichai discussed the many moments in life that shape a person’s trajectory.
“If you are able to filter the signal through the noise, you can nudge your life in these moments into having the impact you want”.
Stanford grads walk out as Google CEO Sundar Pichai takes the stage as commencement speaker. No mention of AI, unlike other uni speakers getting booed down this year. Story for @sfgate shortly pic.twitter.com/qvS2rJ91Ip
— Matt Brown (@maattttbrown) June 14, 2026
Did Sundar Pichai Have Israel Links?
In his speech he shared personal anecdotes and offered advice to the graduating students.
“Choose optimism. This might not true to you at this moment. The world is going through a lot- global conflicts, economic anxiety, a rewiring of technology, information overload, all at a fast pace… We don’t get to choose the world we graduate into, but we do get to choose how we frame our circumstances,” Pichai told the students.
Pichai also told the students to work on the hard things and do the things that excite them.
More than 20,000 people, including 3,600 students, gathered at Stanford Stadium to celebrate one of the university’s largest graduating classes ever.
Times of Israel highlighted how American students have repeatedly turned commencement ceremonies into anti-Israel protests since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel and the start of the war in Gaza, as well as before the war.
Inputs from ANI
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Manisha Chauhan is a passionate journalist with 3 years of experience in the media industry, covering everything from trending entertainment buzz and celebrity spotlights to thought-provoking book reviews and practical health tips. Known for blending fresh perspectives with reader-friendly writing, she creates content that informs, entertains, and inspires. When she’s not chasing the next viral story, you’ll find her diving into a good book or exploring new wellness trends.
