I am Israeli and my MD is Iranian
Hi all,
Feel I am in a sticky situation but might be completely reading too much into this. Recently started a new role as an SA at a small group in NYC so looking to make a good impression etc.
The other day my MD mentioned Israel-Iran conflict, how it’s awful etc. and I mentioned I have family in Israel who are getting nervous over the situation, to which he responds with saying that he has family in Iran and they’re seeing direct impacts of the conflict (e.g. affected by bombings).
I am actually not a patriot and do not support the acts of Israel in any of these wars my country has been involved in. But anyway, since the moment above, he has asked sincere questions about my family and didn’t seem offended in anyway - but given this is a small team, he has direct authority over my return offer and so naturally getting nervous by the off chance that he doesn’t want any controversy (me) being in his team.
Advice on how to navigate this? Thanks!
You are fine, just be respectful of suffering on both sides. Contrary to popular perception, the vast majority of people who are Jewish in finance aren't anti-Muslim, and the vast majority of Muslims in finance aren't anti-semitic.
Yes and no. I believe a lot of Jews are anti-Muslim and most Muslims are anti-semitic. However, in finance, I would say all people are professional enough to put that aside at work. That doesn't mean that they don't have some nasty personal opinions which do not affect how they perform their jobs.
You got a source for that big boy?
lol, only "a lot of Jews are anti-muslim", but "most Muslims are anti-semitic". some great unbiased & rigorous analysis right there - you are brainwashed.
have you seen the rhetoric on muslims spread by zionists? go look at those nasty telegram groupchats or the stuff that israeli ministers say (particularly yoav gallat or itamar ben gvir).
go to any pro-palestinian page/forum, you will not find anything anti-semitic, go to the ADL or any other Zionist entity, odds are they will be characterizing muslims as barbaric animals.
Brainwashed take. No sources? Bet you spend a lot, equal time listening to both sides of the media on this one, right bud?
Iranians are just high IQ. Period.
Every single one I've met in NYC or LA is either
Frankly, I am starting to prefer Iran over Israel the more I read about both countries.
You don't prefer Iran to Israel. The current Iranian regime is among the most brutal in world history, hanging people from cranes with the most minor of offenses, pouring acid in women's eyes for showing hair, etc. You're supporting the Iranian people and the diaspora. You can bash Israel all you want, but the fact is no other country on Earth has to live with dozens of neighbors all of whom vow for her destruction and have genuine violent hatred for the religion. You will never experience that or have to live with such constant threat and hatred.
You realize a huge amount of Iranians, while extremely proud of Iran, are NOT muslim, especially in the US right? Why reduce this to some reductive Muslims vs Jews debate?
Iran and its Diaspora is comprised of:
You guys are woefully misinformed about Iran. Woefully.
Greatest civilization in human history
He’s a pure American as far as I know, said he grew up here, went to college here, has an American wife, things like that so thankfully I would presume at glance he isn’t pro-regime
Very good chance then also that his parents are anti-regime and had to escape right after the overthrow in the 70s. Hence, the reason he was born here.
I believe ISIS used to believe similar things wrt muslims that didn't support them
Big difference. ISIS is a 15 year old organization.
The Jews have lived in Israel before the creation of Islam. Lots of ancestors rolling in their graves not hearing support for the promised land from their descendants.
as an american, I don't get this obsession over supporting Israel & sending them $3b a year.
many more pressing issues in the US than funding some freak's obsession over killing women and kids.
and not supporting israel is not the same as supporting iran. both countries have barbaric governments.
$3b is a drop in the bucket, go find another line item to complain about in the government budget. No double standard here!
Just asking, are you religious? If you're a secular person, it all probably seems very strange.
As a Christian, I just have a real problem with Israel being taken over by jihadists who would be in charge of all the holy sites of the primary faith celebrated around the world. Protecting that means something to me.
Totally get that we're supposed have separation of religion and state, but when the majority of your country is Judeo-Christian, a lot of people are going to care about what happens to Israel.
Some Christians even believe that we are mandated to protect Israel. I wouldn't go that far, but if someone nuked Jerusalem, it would be a loss for the entire Christian world on the whole planet from a cultural perspective.
We need to drop Israel entirely.
Bill Ackman?
Bro, let it go. If you care about Israel so much, move there.
US has no more appetite for absolute shit-bags who choose to consume only one sole media outlet and purposefully blind themselves to any other possible perspective.
Shocking, really. But then again, maybe it turns you on being told what to believe by stronger men than you.
Bold of you to assume his MD isn't in what you call the "crazy iranian" category
Frankly Iranians are a lot more civilized than the Israelis I've met.
More worried about deranged Talmud-worshipping Israelis than your average Iranian/Persian.
I knew an Iranian guy at my old firm. Nicest dude ever. Literally. The nicest.
I grew up with many Iranians, and my best friend is Iranian. Here’s is something that I have noticed, most don’t quite care about what’s going (however very small minority exists that support ayotollah) unless one of 2 conditions exist: 1. They have economic reason to care or 2. They still have a lot of family. But as stated earlier, always go with the classic “war is bad, this is not good for either, because of the innocents” answer.
Modern Israel has nothing to do with Ancient Israel.
Israel is a diplomatic liability to the US at this point.
Except the Bible predicted that Israel would be re-established. The modern Israel is almost certainly the re-established Israel predicted by the Bible.
Well said
Now show what Israelis did in Gaza. Show the innocent Iranians, Israel killed. Show Israel's leading pedophilia stats.
Oh wait, you won't. Stop acting like you know Iranians, they wouldn't associate with you. None of the ones I met were Pro-Israel in the slightest. They were just.....chill.
Iranian women are literally the best educated on planet earth. Iran is far more progressive society than Israel on all levels, especially among people.
Israelis and Israel are the problem. The world is catching on.
Average Palestinian Christian kid thanks to Israel.
Cheers.
Hey Jew here not Israeli. But a VP is Iranian and we sit close by. I have friends in Israel but not family. We’re speaking a lot about it currently me asking how is family are doing both agreeing it’s awful time and just sucks. If anything this could bring you guys closer together and could be really good for you cos both going through similar things. When you’re working together just ask how he’s doing and how his family are doing and I’m sure he’ll ask the same. Dont threat it
This situation is awful but this could genuinely be really good for your career cos he’ll defo remember you as you’re going through similar shit
"Haha I hope Tel Aviv gets glassed and AIPAC stops buying our politicians" is the only right response
What is wrong with you. Most people in Iran are ordinary people and suffering. You can hate the regime which I absolutely do and also have sympathy for ordinary people who are suffering
Nah Iran is fine.
Israeli propaganda is out of control man. Visit Iran, then talk. Like any other country.
Well I'm an American, and all I can say is you both don't know what the f%ck you are doing.
Welcome to Moelis
Next time you email him a new turn of the deck just say “bombs away”
😐
"Dear Opponent,
Please find attached the slides.
Best regards,
Your Favorite FDI Supporter"
that's the only way
.
how was your mandatory service?
.
Your MD has family who are nuclear scientists or IRGC commanders?
I wouldn’t be too worried about it. Most Jew-hating Muslims won’t be working alongside you in the same building, instead, they’re too busy trying to fly commercial airliners into you. Hope this helps!
Maybe try engaging with the real world. You’ll find Muslims are too busy being doctors, engineers, lawyers and bankers. Yes, even coworkers! But hey, if ignorance is your comfort zone, enjoy the stay!
I think you misread the comment… He said Jew-hating Muslims not all Muslims. Says a lot about your worldview if you can’t differentiate to be honest.
Iranians I've met are also a ton of different religions.....
Yes, educated and professional Muslims (many of whom I know and consider friends) generally love Jews (source, me, a Jew).
Being educated and cosmopolitan tends to negate bigotry.
and you'll find the Muslim-hating Jews wearing the dresses of murdered Palestinian women in the houses they destroyed and sniping 13 year old kids.
Something tells me you won’t find those types of Jews…
Damn you can’t make a joke on here anymore I guess. Thought I made it clear that Jew-hating Muslims were the ones flying airliners into buildings. Anyways, they are usually Arab, not Persian. Apologies for the offensive remark.
Most Iranians who left Iran hate the Ayatollah.
I don’t think it’s much to worry about.
Moelis CEO, Uber CEO, Clearlake Founder are all Iranians but would think of themselves as Persian. The type of Iranian you’re painting a caricature of doesn’t exist in finance.
Sounds like an explosive situation
Nah. Russia / Ukraine has like 3 million deaths. That's "explosive".
Iran made Israel kneel in 12 days.
Then learn from him.
Iranians are super smart. 4th highest IQ on the planet.
Frankly the more I read about Iranians/Iran, the more I support them over Israel. No offense.
Iranians are smart, and Iranians hate the Ayatollah. That should tell you everything.
How would you know that? You're not Iranian, presumably.
From what I say, some do, some don't. It's a sophisticated society.
I am reading about Iran, China, Russia, N. Korea quite extensively. Everything we're told about them is almost a lie. Especially Iran/China.
Having a kind, sensible boss can be a very tricky situation. I wish I could give you advice, but it's a tough one. Best of luck with it.
Damn people are really bad at this. The Middle East is a power struggle for who can lead the region. Iran’s government is fighting Israel for the top spot in the region and indirectly funds terror proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in order to gain an advantage during warfare. The Persians (Iranians) hate their government due to its authoritarianism and lots of Persian-Americans had parents and grandparents who fled during the Islamic Revolution. However, a good amount don’t love Israelis, specifically in America because of the Palestinian conflict as do a good amount of non-Persian Americans. When it comes to Jews generally speaking, they actually are probably one of the most tolerant when you’re looking at ethnic groups in the Middle Easts. Palestinians and most other Arabs on the other hand unfortunately despise both Jews and Israelis with a passion, equally due to their direct conflict with Israel but another reason that is more inherent to culture and their radical beliefs (There’s a reason that their developed neighbors like Jordan won’t let any of them migrate to their countries)… They tend to create factions that end up rebelling against Western values and destabilizing developing countries (cough cough Lebanon).
yes the israelis are among the most tolerant people on the planet - famous for their acceptance of all religions and ethnicities.
Meant Persians tolerant towards Jews*
Yes, Jews are generally tolerant and accepting.
del
Eum temporibus est est consectetur et quaerat molestias. Sint voluptates pariatur nam maxime et debitis sunt. Recusandae ratione excepturi assumenda est perspiciatis. Temporibus omnis tempora quo at at.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Ut qui et incidunt. Voluptas vero dolores sapiente est numquam incidunt. Impedit harum officia in itaque nihil qui iusto. Aut accusantium dolor voluptatem ipsum rem qui et ducimus. Et reprehenderit autem dolore ad repellendus.
Est qui sint et quia animi. Ipsa veritatis vel omnis nobis. Impedit optio culpa temporibus dignissimos. Non explicabo ad deleniti atque iste. Aliquam quis voluptates autem et inventore corporis.
Consequatur blanditiis eos cum minima saepe. Earum et sit dolorem ut suscipit eius distinctio. Delectus distinctio voluptate natus. Asperiores sed culpa eius quis blanditiis et sed. Maiores ut ea ipsam fugit et accusantium sunt.
Accusantium ipsa ad placeat rem labore. Delectus accusamus doloribus illum vitae voluptas ut.
Est ut sint commodi sequi et dolor. Sit et optio ut quo. Reprehenderit dolores est rerum. Et repellendus quisquam unde amet.
Fugiat voluptate sit blanditiis aperiam hic. At sed qui optio. Dignissimos non perspiciatis ea error qui eos magni et. Sunt nisi facilis in consectetur possimus sunt neque. Sit et ut illo consequatur.
Aliquid ut ducimus quo et officiis et fugit. Totam est et dignissimos labore assumenda. Error natus minima accusantium repellat unde. Sunt consectetur consectetur saepe optio fugiat. Sed officiis et consequatur sequi aut culpa. Unde molestias dolorem consequuntur saepe sit sapiente eos.