On Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, two engineers from the company became the focus of an event that sparked a heated debate.
Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, employees of the multinational, were fired after interrupting a celebratory event to protest against the company’s ties with the Israeli government.
During the high-profile meeting in Redmond, Washington, Aboussad intervened during a speech given by Mustafa Suleyman, the leader of the enterprise’s artificial intelligence division. In strong terms, she accused the giant corporation of using technology for military purposes and called the speaker a “war profiteer.” The protester urged Microsoft to sever all ties with the Israeli military, which she deemed responsible for crimes against humanity.
Immediately afterward, Agrawal took the floor and confronted co-founder Bill Gates and current CEO Satya Nadella, expressing concerns about the company’s involvement in practices considered harmful to peace and human rights.
Microsoft responded quickly, justifying the dismissals by citing “inappropriate” behavior intended to disrupt the commemorative event. In an internal communication, the company criticized Aboussad’s actions, describing them as designed to “cause maximum disturbance” and emphasized that she showed no remorse for the consequences. Although Agrawal had already resigned, she was dismissed shortly after the incident.
The two engineers are part of “No Azure for Apartheid,” a collective of employees who oppose the use of the company’s technology to support the Israeli government. The group has drawn public attention for its critical stance on the multinational’s involvement with the Israeli state, accused of implementing apartheid policies against Palestinians.
Despite the incident generating significant controversy, Microsoft continues to assert that it has provided numerous channels for employees to express their views, reiterating the importance of not interfering with business activities. However, the decision to fire Aboussad and Agrawal raises questions about freedom of expression within large corporations and the delicate balance between activism and corporate policy.
The incident not only shook the ethical foundations of the company but also impacted the markets. Microsoft’s stock dropped by 0.55%, and although it later recovered in after-hours trading, the stock has continued to decline, falling 14.51% since the beginning of the year, fueling concerns among investors about how internal controversies are managed.
The termination of Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal’s contracts marks a controversial chapter in the firm’s history and raises questions about the role of large corporations in supporting international government policies and managing the internal opinions of their staff.
