Microsoft reportedly fires staff whose protest interrupted its Copilot event

Microsoft Dismisses Software Engineers Following Protests Over Israel Ties

Microsoft has reportedly terminated the employment of two software engineers who protested the tech giant’s alleged dealings with the Israeli military. The dismissals of Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal occurred after demonstrations during Microsoft’s Copilot product launch and 50th anniversary event last week. This action follows disruptions at high-profile company events, raising questions about employee expression and corporate partnerships.

Internal Communication Details Grounds for Termination

According to an internal message reportedly reviewed by CNBC, Microsoft stated that Ms. Aboussad could have addressed her concerns “confidentially with your manager, or with Global Employee Relations.” The message further asserted, “Instead, you chose to intentionally disrupt the speech of Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman.” This internal communication highlights the company’s stance on the appropriate channels for expressing employee grievances and the consequences of public disruptions.

Protests Occurred During Keynote and Panel Discussions

The incidents leading to the terminations unfolded at a Microsoft event last Friday. During a keynote address by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman about new AI products, Ms. Aboussad reportedly interrupted him, shouting accusations of having “blood on his hands.” Later that day, Ms. Agrawal reportedly interjected during a panel discussion featuring Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and founder Bill Gates. She allegedly shouted, “shame on all of you … Cut ties with Israel,” voicing her objection to the company’s relationship with Israel.

Email Claims of Silencing Dissent

In the aftermath of these events, Ms. Aboussad purportedly sent an email to Microsoft staff and executives, alleging that the company had silenced dissenting voices. CNBC reports that the email included a link to a petition from “No Azure for Apartheid.” This group, composed of Microsoft employees, has previously attracted attention for its protests against the company’s collaborations with Israel. The email and petition suggest ongoing internal dissent regarding Microsoft’s business dealings.