Who Is Wael Noman? The Tiffany & Co. Employee Who Posted Antisemitic Comments Online
Wael Noman, a former employee of the luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co., has sparked outrage and controversy after posting a series of antisemitic comments on his social media accounts. Noman, who worked as a sales professional at the Tiffany & Co. store in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has been accused of spreading hate speech, conspiracy theories, and Holocaust denial, among other offensive and false claims.
What did Wael Noman say?
Noman’s antisemitic posts, which have since been deleted or made private, included statements such as:
- “Hitler was right”
- “Jews are the root of all evil”
- “The Holocaust never happened”
- “Israel is a terrorist state”
- “Zionists control the media, the banks, and the world”
Noman also shared images and videos that promoted antisemitic tropes, such as the blood libel, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and the Rothschild family conspiracy. He also expressed support for the Iranian regime, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups that have called for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people.
How did people react?
Wael Noman’s posts were met with widespread condemnation and criticism from various individuals and organizations, both online and offline. Some of the reactions included:
- Tiffany & Co. issued a statement on its official Twitter account, saying that it was “appalled” by Noman’s comments and that it had terminated his employment immediately. The company also said that it “stands firmly against antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination”.
- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a leading Jewish civil rights organization, called on the authorities in the UAE to investigate and prosecute Noman for his antisemitic remarks. The ADL also urged social media platforms to remove his accounts and content, saying that they violated their policies and incited violence and hatred.
- The American Jewish Committee (AJC), another prominent Jewish advocacy group, praised Tiffany & Co. for its swift action and denounced Noman’s posts as “vile and dangerous”. The AJC also said that Noman’s views were “incompatible with the spirit of tolerance and coexistence that prevails in the UAE”.
- The UAE-Israel Business Council, a non-profit organization that fosters economic and cultural ties between the two countries, expressed its disappointment and shock at Noman’s posts, saying that they were “an affront to the values of peace and harmony that the UAE and Israel share”. The council also said that it hoped that Noman’s case would be “an isolated incident” and that it would not affect the positive relations between the two nations.
- Many social media users, including celebrities, influencers, journalists, and activists, also voiced their outrage and disgust at Noman’s posts, using hashtags such as #FireWaelNoman, #BoycottTiffany, and #StopAntisemitism. Some of them also shared their personal stories of facing antisemitism and discrimination, and expressed their solidarity with the Jewish community.
Your employee Wael Noman is calling for the murder of Jews @TiffanyAndCo – we certainly hope you remedy this immediately.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) January 10, 2024
The teenager he featured, Liri Albag, is being held by Hamas terrorists now for over 90 days, suffering unimaginable cruelty. pic.twitter.com/D7YKt72zje
Why does it matter?
Wael Noman’s case is not only a matter of individual bigotry and ignorance, but also a reflection of a larger and more complex issue of antisemitism in the Middle East and beyond. Antisemitism, or the hatred of Jews, is a form of racism that has existed for centuries and has taken various shapes and forms throughout history. Antisemitism has led to countless atrocities and injustices, such as pogroms, expulsions, persecutions, and genocides, most notably the Holocaust, which killed six million Jews during World War II.
Antisemitism is not only a threat to the Jewish people, but also to the values of democracy, human rights, and pluralism that are essential for a peaceful and prosperous world. Antisemitism undermines the dignity and equality of all people, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or nationality. Antisemitism also fuels extremism, violence, and terrorism, which endanger the security and stability of the region and the world.
Therefore, it is important to combat antisemitism in all its forms and manifestations, and to educate people about the history and reality of the Jewish people and their contributions to humanity. It is also important to foster dialogue and cooperation among different faiths and cultures, and to promote a culture of respect and tolerance among all people.
Wael Noman, a former Tiffany & Co. employee, has been exposed and fired for his antisemitic posts on social media, which have caused outrage and controversy. Noman’s case is a reminder of the persistence and prevalence of antisemitism in the world, and the need to confront and counter it with facts, education, and action. Noman’s case is also an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the ties of friendship and partnership between the UAE and Israel, and between the Arab and Jewish people, who share a common history and destiny.
