Microsoft Dismisses Four Employees Following Demonstrations Against Corporate Links to Israel
In a recent turn of events, technology giant Microsoft has dismissed four of its employees who participated in on-site protests against the company's ties with Israel. The demonstrations, according to Microsoft President Brad Smith, raised significant safety concerns.
The joint media investigation by The Guardian, Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call found that the Israeli military surveillance agency was using Microsoft's Azure software to store countless recordings of mobile phone calls made by Palestinians living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza.
The investigation has sparked global outrage, with images of starving Palestinians, including children, circulating widely. Accusations of genocide and war crimes have been made at international courts regarding the assault on Gaza, which has caused a hunger crisis and internally displaced Gaza's entire population.
The terminations followed serious breaches of company policies, and the dismissed employees include Anna Hattle, Riki Fameli, Nisreen Jaradat, and Julius Shan. The assault has killed almost 63,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The group protesting against Microsoft's collaboration with Israel is called "No Azure for Apartheid." They accuse Microsoft of storing surveillance data for the Israeli military, particularly for the elite Unit 8200, which allegedly used this data for spying on Palestinians. Their main demand is an end to this practice and to stop cooperating with the Israeli military.
In response to the findings, Microsoft has hired law firm Covington & Burling LLP to conduct a review. No Azure for Apartheid has also demanded that Microsoft cut its ties to Israel and pay reparations to Palestinians.
This is not the first time Microsoft has faced protests over its ties with Israel. In April, two protesting employees interrupted Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman during the technology company's 50th anniversary celebration. These employees were subsequently fired. On Tuesday, seven protesters, including Hattle and Fameli, were arrested after occupying the office of company President Brad Smith.
Firms and educational institutions have faced protests over ties with Israel due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from Israel's military assault. As the situation continues to unfold, Microsoft and other companies will likely face increased scrutiny and pressure to reevaluate their relationships with the Israeli government.
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