Microsoft Removes 4 Staff After Protests Against Israel Association

Microsoft says terminations followed “serious breaches” of workplace policy

Microsoft has dismissed four employees who staged protests on company premises against its business ties with Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. According to the protest group No Azure for Apartheid, two of the employees, Anna Hattle and Riki Fameli, were informed of their dismissal via voicemail.

Four Microsoft employees dismissed for staging on-site protests over Israel contracts.

The employees were part of a group that held a sit-in at the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith earlier this week, demanding that the tech giant sever contracts with Israel. Microsoft confirmed the terminations, stating they were due to “serious breaches of company policies,” though it did not elaborate on specific violations.

The protests are part of a wider movement criticizing U.S. tech firms over their partnerships with governments accused of human rights violations. Activists argue that Microsoft’s cloud and AI services are being used to strengthen Israel’s military and surveillance capabilities during the conflict in Gaza.

Microsoft has not directly addressed those allegations but reiterated its commitment to maintaining workplace discipline and adherence to its code of conduct.

The dismissals have sparked debate over free expression in corporate workplaces, particularly as tech employees increasingly challenge their companies’ ethical responsibilities in global conflicts.