Microsoft fires employees who protested its support for Israel at 50th anniversary event
Share and Follow


Related video: Senate rejects resolution to block arms sales to Israel

(The Hill) – Two Microsoft employees were fired for protests condemning the company’s support for Israel at a 50th anniversary event last week.

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was interrupted by shouts from software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad during his speech at the Friday celebration while Vaniya Agrawal, another engineer, interjected during a question-and-answer session with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, CEO Satya Nadella and former CEO Steve Ballmer. 

Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that the company’s commercial artificial intelligence (AI) is being used by the Israel Defense Force in Gaza.

“How dare you celebrate when Microsoft is killing children,” Aboussad yelled as she approached Suleyman on stage. 

She was quickly escorted out of the space by event staff and was later terminated according to the group No Azure for Apartheid, which consists of past and present Microsoft employees.

The company did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the matter.

In response to Aboussad’s disruption, Suleyman said “I hear you, thank you for your protest.”

Agrawal’s shouts directed at Gates, Ballmer and Nadella were later met with boos from the crowd of attendees.

“Fifty thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been murdered with Microsoft technology. How dare you? Shame on all of you for celebrating on their blood,” she screamed.

Prior to the demonstration, Agrawal submitted a letter of resignation for a later date but was told Monday the company accepted her resignation effective immediately according to an email reviewed by Bloomberg. 

No Azure for Apartheid described both of the dismissed workers as “brave” in a Tuesday statement.

“You can choose to speak up and organize; you can choose to reject abetment in genocide; you can choose to be on the right side of history and be brave like Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal. Or, you can be silent while raking in your stock awards on the blood of Palestinian children. The choice is yours,” the group wrote.

“To all workers: we call on you to demand your workplaces divest from apartheid and genocide. As part of the larger No Tech for Apartheid movement, we especially call on tech workers — no matter what role — to refuse to have your labor power apartheid and genocide,” they added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Company claims that experimental Moderna flu shot is more effective than approved vaccine

(The Hill) – Moderna Inc. said Monday its experimental flu shot showed…

A village in the Himalayas with a water scarcity problem relocated and began anew

SAMJUNG – The Himalayan village of Samjung did not die in a…

Person injured in Deltona after altercation; suspect identified but not arrested

Volusia deputies investigate shooting on Flagami Terrace Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (Copyright…

2nd lawsuit filed against Jeff Knight for ferry crash, suit names company for negligence

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — A family of six is suing Jeff Knight.…

“Liberty County School Superintendent to Retire After 8-Year Tenure”

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. () — The Liberty County School superintendent bid farewell…

Two athletes will be playing college volleyball starting this fall.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The legacy of St. Thomas More volleyball players…

Another individual passes away following a shooting at a frat picnic in Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — A second person has died after a fraternity picnic…

Wess Roley: What we know about suspected sniper in Idaho firefighter ambush

(NewsNation) — The gunman accused of fatally shooting two firefighters and wounding…