Two Microsoft employees were fired after confronting their own employer over AI contracts with Israel’s military during the company’s 50th anniversary celebration, raising ethical questions about tech’s role in global conflicts.
At a Glance
- Microsoft fired software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad and employee Vaniya Agrawal after they protested the company’s AI contracts with Israel during its 50th anniversary event
- Aboussad directly interrupted Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman’s presentation, accusing the company of supplying AI weapons used in the Gaza conflict
- An Associated Press investigation previously revealed Microsoft’s AI models were used by the Israeli military to select bombing targets
- Microsoft stated it allows for dissenting voices but requires that protests don’t disrupt business operations
- Similar employee protests and terminations have occurred at Google over contracts with Israel’s government
Workplace Activism During Corporate Celebration
During Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration, what began as a corporate milestone quickly turned into a workplace ethics confrontation when software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad interrupted a presentation by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. Aboussad publicly challenged the company’s business relationship with Israel’s military, specifically regarding its Azure cloud computing services. The protest wasn’t isolated – a second employee, Vaniya Agrawal, also disrupted the event with similar concerns about Microsoft’s technological involvement in military operations.
Both employees were terminated shortly after the incident. Aboussad received notice via video call while Agrawal was informed through email. The incidents highlight growing tensions between tech workers and leadership over the ethical applications of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. The protest was reportedly organized in connection with advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid, which has been actively campaigning against Microsoft’s technology sales to Israel.
🚨MICROSOFT EMPLOYEES PROTEST AI CONTRACTS WITH ISRAELI MILITARY
Five Microsoft employees were ejected from a company meeting after staging a protest against Microsoft’s AI and cloud services provided to Israel’s military.
During CEO Satya Nadella’s town hall, they revealed… pic.twitter.com/rcRGePb5t3
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 26, 2025
Corporate Response and Policy
Microsoft addressed the situation with a statement emphasizing its commitment to allowing diverse viewpoints while maintaining operational standards. “We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard. Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards,” the company stated.
“You claim that you care about 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,” says Ibtihal Aboussad.
During the protest, Suleyman responded to Aboussad with “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” before security personnel escorted the protesters from the venue. The company has not provided additional details regarding the terminations or potential future actions. Microsoft has yet to respond to further requests for comment specifically addressing claims that its technologies have been used in military operations resulting in civilian casualties.
pic.twitter.com/4Nsu9WJjkg
Five #Microsoft employees were fired from a meeting with CEO #Satya_Nadella after protesting contracts to provide artificial intelligence & cloud computing services to the Israeli occupation army, which used them in the #genocide of the Palestinians, as…— ⚡️🌎 World News 🌐⚡️ (@ferozwala) February 26, 2025
Broader Tech Industry Context
The Microsoft protests mirror similar incidents at Google, where employees were also terminated after opposing contracts with the Israeli government. This has resulted in a formal complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
An Associated Press investigation previously identified Microsoft’s AI models as being utilized by Israel’s military for target selection in bombing operations, raising significant concerns about tech companies’ responsibilities regarding how their products are deployed in conflict zones.
These incidents highlight the complex ethical landscape facing technology workers as AI capabilities advance. For many employees at major tech companies, there’s growing concern about whether their work could be deployed in ways that conflict with their personal values.
The terminations at both Microsoft and Google demonstrate the challenges companies face in balancing employee activism with business operations and contractual obligations to government clients.
