Microsoft has terminated two employees, Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan, who were involved in protests against the company’s contracts with the Israeli military and government. These actions are connected to demonstrations where protestors established encampments at Microsoft’s headquarters, as indicated by Hossam Nasr, an organizer with the No Azure for Apartheid group.
Recently, two other employees were also dismissed for their participation in a protest that allowed members of the same group to access a company building and live stream from the office of Microsoft president Brad Smith. Jaradat had previously sent a mass email within the company expressing her dissatisfaction with how Microsoft treated her as a Palestinian worker, circumventing company restrictions on discussions about Palestine and Gaza.
The No Azure for Apartheid group has engaged in various public actions against Microsoft throughout the year. They have interrupted executives during live-streamed events and attempted to occupy a plaza at Microsoft’s headquarters. After being removed, they returned with tents and tables, during which 18 individuals were arrested after pouring red paint over a Microsoft sign.
On Tuesday, protesters again targeted Smith’s office. Following the event, Smith conducted a press conference, stating that Microsoft is investigating the potential misuse of Azure services in Israel, while expressing that the protesters’ actions were “not ok.” Microsoft declined to comment further when approached for a statement.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/767841/microsoft-fires-two-more-protesters-no-azure-for-apartheid