Microsoft has dismissed two software engineers who publicly opposed the company's involvement in artificial intelligence initiatives linked to the Israeli military.
The protest happened last Friday during Microsoft's 50th anniversary events.
One of the engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad, worked in the AI division and was based in Canada. She interrupted a speech by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman at the event in Redmond, Washington.
"Mustafa, shame on you," Aboussad shouted. "You claim that you care for using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty thousand people have died, and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region."
According to CNBC, security quickly removed Aboussad from the event. Later, she emailed top executives, including CEO Satya Nadella, saying, "I did not sign up to write code that violates human rights." She added that employees trying to speak up had been "silenced, intimidated, harassed, and doxxed."
Microsoft fired Aboussad on Monday, saying she engaged in "willful misconduct" and intentionally disrupted the event.
Microsoft has fired Moroccan engineer Ibtihal Abou El Saad and Indian engineer Vaniya Agrawal after they protested the company's provision of Al technology to the lsraeli military during the company's 50th anniversary celebration —AP #VaniyaAgrawal #Microsoft
— The Global South Post (@INdEptHGlobal) April 8, 2025
Footage via SM pic.twitter.com/ALJNH1gZ3c
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Microsoft Responds to Employee Protest with Immediate Termination
At another company event the same day, engineer Vaniya Agrawal stood up during Nadella's speech. She shouted, "Shame on you all. Fifty thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been murdered with Microsoft technology. Cut ties with Israel."
Agrawal had already planned to resign on April 11. However, Microsoft made her resignation effective immediately on Monday, saying her actions caused a business disruption.
In an earlier email to executives, Agrawal wrote, "As time goes on, I find it more and more difficult to continue giving my time and care to a company that is on the wrong side of history."
A Microsoft spokesperson said the company supports open dialogue but added, "We ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption."
The employee group "No Azure for Apartheid" criticized the firings, saying they were punishment for speaking out, TheWrap said. The group is pushing Microsoft to end contracts with the Israeli military.
The protests gained wide attention and overshadowed the company's anniversary celebration, which was also marked by rising concerns about global tariffs announced by President Trump.
As the debate continues, Microsoft has not responded to further questions about its contracts in Israel.
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