For years, Waldman, a successful tech entrepreneur, has supported peace initiatives and employed Palestinian tech workers as part of his business activities.
By Shula Rosen
Israeli tech entrepreneur and peace activist Eyal Waldman was confronted and verbally abused by a pro-Palestinian protester during demonstrations on the sidelines of the 2026 Venice Biennale, where activists were protesting Israel’s participation in the international art exhibition.
Video from the May 6 incident showed Waldman approaching a protester carrying a Palestinian flag and extending his hand before asking, “Do you want to do peace [with Israel]?” The protester, who identified himself as being from Gaza, replied, “No,” and said Israelis “are animals.”
After discovering that Waldman was Israeli, the protester abruptly pulled his hand away, repeatedly called him a “murderer,” shouted expletives and led chants of “Free, free Palestine.”
Waldman then walked away from the confrontation. No one was physically harmed in the incident, which took place on a street near Biennale-related events in Venice.
The exchange occurred amid heightened protests surrounding the Venice Biennale, where hundreds of activists, including the Art Not Genocide Alliance, demanded the closure of the Israeli pavilion.
Demonstrations at the event drew attention to Israelis attending the exhibition and included anti-Israel protests in areas surrounding Biennale venues.
Waldman, the former CEO of Mellanox Technologies, sold the chip-making company to Nvidia for $6.8 billion in 2019.
He has for years supported peace initiatives and has employed Palestinian tech workers as part of his business activities.
Waldman continued his activism after his daughter, Danielle, and her boyfriend, Noam Shai, were killed in the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks.
He later donated $360,000 to a Gazan hospital.
Waldman has also publicly stated that Hamas and other terror groups should be removed from power by force while continuing to advocate efforts aimed at peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!