Microsoft has dismissed two software engineers for disrupting its 50th anniversary events with protests against the company’s contracts with the Israeli military. The Microsoft-Palestine protest controversy has ignited a broader conversation about the role of Big Tech in global conflicts and the limits of workplace activism.
Engineers Protest Company’s Role in Conflict
Ibtihal Aboussad, a Canadian engineer in Microsoft’s AI division, interrupted a keynote speech by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman in Redmond, Washington. During the livestreamed event, she called him a “war profiteer” and accused the company of “powering this genocide in our region.” She threw a keffiyeh scarf onstage before being escorted out by security.
Soon after, Aboussad emailed top Microsoft executives, including Satya Nadella and Brad Smith, stating she could no longer remain silent after discovering her team’s involvement in military AI targeting used by Israel. She was promptly informed that her employment had been terminated.
Read: Gaza Media Camp Strike: Israeli Attack Kills Two Journalists
Immediate Dismissals for “Misconduct”
Microsoft said the protest amounted to “wilful misconduct” and disrupted an important business event.
Vaniya Agrawal, a US-based software engineer, also participated in a protest during a separate session featuring CEO Satya Nadella. Though she had already submitted her resignation effective April 11, Microsoft accelerated her exit and made it immediate.
Context of the Protests
While Microsoft has not confirmed specific details, it emphasized that employee feedback is welcome—but must not interrupt business operations.
Pattern of Employee Dissent
This is not the first time Microsoft has faced employee dissent. In February, five staff members were removed from a meeting with Nadella after voicing similar concerns. Across the tech industry, tensions have grown over military contracts.
In 2024, Google fired dozens of workers involved in sit-ins against Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion cloud and AI deal with the Israeli government. Microsoft’s own partnership with OpenAI has come under renewed scrutiny as its applications in defense expand.
Backlash and Advocacy
Rights groups and labor advocates have condemned Microsoft’s actions, calling the dismissals retaliation against employees acting in conscience.
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