Microsoft Faces Growing Unrest Over Role in Israel’s Gaza War
Turmoil is spreading at Microsoft over its role in Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, with employees protesting the company’s use of AI and cloud computing services. For the second time in a month, Microsoft employees disrupted high-level executives speaking at an event celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary on April 4, protesting against Microsoft’s involvement in Israel’s siege on Gaza.
The protests, which included employees Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal interrupting AI executive Mustafa Suleyman, resulted in the two being fired within days. This follows a similar incident on March 20 at Seattle’s Great Hall where Microsoft president Brad Smith and former CEO Steve Ballmer were shouted down by current and former employees.
The March event was preceded by a rally outside where protesters projected a sign saying: “Microsoft powers genocide” onto the hall’s wall. This refers to Israel’s extensive use of Microsoft’s AI and cloud computing services since October 7, 2023.
These recent protests are part of a growing number of employee actions urging Microsoft to cut ties with Israel. Discontent has been simmering among some employees for over a year through internal message boards, emails, and discussions with Microsoft’s “workplace conflict” team.
Former Microsoft software engineer Hossam Nasr described the situation as “very close to a tipping point.” He highlighted recent events, including a February 24 demonstration at the company’s town hall and an October 24 lunchtime vigil for Palestinians killed by Israel, as examples of rising discontent.
The dismissals of employees involved in these protests, along with recent in-depth articles about Microsoft’s role in Israel’s actions in Gaza, have galvanized those concerned within the company. Ibtihal Aboussad, a software engineer working in AI, said she grew increasingly conflicted after learning more about Microsoft’s ties to the Israeli government through recent reporting.
“After several years at the company, recent reporting showed [me] more and more Microsoft’s deep ties to the Israeli government,” Aboussad said. An AP report on the use of US-made AI in Gaza, including Microsoft’s, was the “last straw” for her.
Within days of speaking to the Guardian, Aboussad was fired. She reported that about half a dozen colleagues have considered leaving the company.
Before these in-person protests, Microsoft employees had been discussing their concerns online. Some discourse on Microsoft’s internal message board grew contentious, with employees critical of Israel’s actions being accused of supporting terrorism.
The tenor of online activism changed over 2024, with employees initially focusing on Microsoft’s public statements and later turning to the company’s business practices. By mid-year, a group called “No Azure for Apartheid” began organizing, urging Microsoft to cancel its cloud computing and AI contracts with the Israeli military.
Recent reporting has fueled employee concerns. Documents obtained by Dropsite revealed a “gold rush” among tech companies to provide services to the Israeli military, including Microsoft. This reporting has been crucial to offline organizing efforts, according to Anna Hattle, who has been with Microsoft for nearly five years.
Some employees have already left the company over the issue. On December 4, Angela Yu resigned, citing Microsoft’s ties to Israel and stating that she could no longer continue working on products that might be used in Israel’s military actions.
The situation highlights the challenges employees face in protesting against Microsoft’s contracts with Israel. One employee described the company as “a money machine” that prioritizes profit over ethical considerations.
