Microsoft fires two employees who protested its AI technology contract with the Israeli military during the company's 50th anniversary celebration in Redmond, Washington.
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| Microsoft fires two employees who interrupted its 50th anniversary event to protest the company’s involvement in providing AI technology to the Israeli military. Image: Collected from Komo Video |
Redmond, Washington, USA — April 8, 2025:
Microsoft has fired two employees following a high-profile protest against the company’s contract to supply artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the Israeli military during its 50th anniversary celebration. The protest, which occurred at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, led to a public disruption and resulted in the termination of Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal.
Aboussad, a software engineer based in Microsoft’s Toronto office, interrupted a keynote address by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman on Friday. She publicly condemned Microsoft for its role in enabling military operations in Gaza, shouting, “You claim that you care about using AI for good but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military.” Aboussad also threw a keffiyeh scarf—symbolizing support for Palestinians—onto the stage before being escorted out by security.
The company’s response, detailed in a termination letter, accused Aboussad of misconduct, claiming her actions were meant to “gain notoriety and cause maximum disruption” during the highly anticipated event. The letter also criticized her “aggressive” behavior. Agrawal, who had already announced her resignation, was told to leave five days earlier than planned.
Microsoft’s statement clarified that while the company provides channels for employees to express concerns, it expects these concerns to be raised in ways that do not disrupt business activities. It also emphasized its commitment to maintaining high standards in its business practices.
This protest is not the first of its kind at Microsoft. In February 2025, five employees were ejected from a meeting with CEO Satya Nadella after protesting the company’s contracts with Israel. Aboussad and Agrawal are vocal critics of Microsoft’s Azure platform, which has been linked to Israeli military operations.
Earlier this year, The Associated Press reported that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI were used by the Israeli military to select bombing targets in Gaza and Lebanon. This revelation added to the controversy surrounding the company’s relationship with Israel.
The protest also brings attention to broader debates about corporate responsibility, employee rights, and tech companies’ involvement in military contracts. Last year, Google faced similar backlash, with multiple employees being fired after protesting its Project Nimbus contract with the Israeli government, which involves AI technology for military use.
As tech companies like Microsoft and Google continue to expand their AI offerings, employees and advocacy groups are calling for greater scrutiny of their partnerships with military organizations. The issue highlights the ethical challenges that arise when tech innovations are used in military contexts, particularly in conflict zones like the Middle East.