Microsoft Workers Fired After Organizing Gaza Vigil Claim Retaliation for Activism

Two Microsoft employees, Abdo Mohamed and Hossam Nasr, were dismissed last week following their organization of a vigil to honor Palestinians killed in Gaza, a move they allege was a retaliatory action by the tech giant in response to their pro-Palestinian activism. The vigil took place outside the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on October 24, shortly before both were let go later that evening.

Nasr stated that Microsoft "crumbled under pressure" from both internal and external forces, claiming the company's actions were not based on policy violations but rather a response to their efforts to humanize the plight of Palestinians. Both individuals are part of the group No Azure for Apartheid, which protests Microsoft’s provision of cloud computing services to Israel. They demand that the company sever all contracts with the Israeli military and government, and disclose its connections to Israel, among other requests.

In a statement, Microsoft denied that the firings were related to the employees' activism. A spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to maintaining a professional work environment and adherence to operational guidelines, which the company claimed were violated during the vigil. They noted that the organizers were instructed that the gathering should occur on public property and were reminded not to disrupt business operations.

However, Mohamed and Nasr contend that their vigil, which included a microphone for speakers and was organized during lunchtime, followed Microsoft’s usual protocols for employee charity events. They reported that more than 200 employees participated in the event, either in person or virtually, and emphasized its purpose was to raise funds for humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

The aftermath of their firings has drawn criticism within Microsoft, with many employees expressing outrage over the perceived retaliatory nature of the dismissals. An anonymous employee voiced concerns about a double standard in how Microsoft addresses internal discussions regarding Palestine and related topics. They highlighted that while Nasr faced scrutiny for his comments, similar posts targeting him did not result in disciplinary action.

The No Azure for Apartheid group labeled the firings as part of a broader campaign of intimidation against employees advocating for Palestinian rights and is calling for the reinstatement of both Mohamed and Nasr. A spokesperson for Microsoft indicated that the company is investigating claims regarding the premature announcement of the employees' termination on social media.

As tensions rise over U.S. tech firms' relationships with Israel, Microsoft's actions reflect a growing conflict between corporate policies and employee activism. The situation mirrors similar incidents in the industry, such as Google's termination of over 50 employees who protested the company's military ties to Israel earlier this year. Mohamed criticized Microsoft for ignoring employee concerns about the implications of its technology partnerships, urging the company to engage with the serious issues at hand.