Tech giant Microsoft found itself embroiled in a major controversy during its 50th anniversary celebrations held recently at the company’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters. The event, attended by luminaries such as co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer and current CEO Satya Nadella, was disrupted by two of its software engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, as they publicly condemned Microsoft’s supply of AI technology to the Israeli military. While Aboussad was sacked for “willful misconduct”, Agrawal, who had planned to resign later, saw her departure expedited by the company.
The unrest began during an address by Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, who was outlining the company’s advancements and future vision for artificial intelligence. Aboussad, who is of Moroccan origin, interrupted the presentation, shouting that Suleyman had “blood on his hands” and accusing Microsoft of enabling “genocide” in Gaza through its AI tools, which she claimed had contributed to the deaths of 50,000 Palestinians. Suleyman acknowledged her protest calmly, saying, “I hear you, thank you for your protest,” though this did little to quell the ensuing fallout. She was escorted offstage by event staff, and she was fired on April 7.
Later, Agrawal, an Indian-American engineer with an impressive academic and professional background, escalated the demonstrations. During a panel featuring Gates, Nadella and Ballmer, she confronted the trio, shouting, "Shame on all of you... Cut ties with Israel.” Her words were met with boos from the audience, but her message echoed Aboussad’s: Microsoft’s technology, she argued, was complicit in atrocities. Having submitted her resignation prior to the event—but set to be effective from April 11—Agrawal, too, was fired with immediate effect. Before joining Microsoft in September 2023, she had worked at Amazon and earned a Software Engineering degree from Arizona State University, where she graduated summa cum laude and received the prestigious Grace Hopper Scholarship.
The protests reflect broader discontent among some Microsoft employees, notably the group “No Azure for Apartheid,” which has long opposed the company’s ties to Israel. Following her dismissal, Aboussad emailed colleagues and executives, alleging that Microsoft suppressed dissent and linking to the group’s petition. Agrawal, too, sent an email decrying the company’s role in the military-industrial complex, accusing it of supporting surveillance and apartheid. Microsoft responded firmly, stating that while it provides avenues for employees to voice concerns, disruptions to business operations crossed a line, necessitating “immediate cessation” of employment.
The controversy stems from the Israeli military’s use of Microsoft’s AI technology, especially during its operations in Gaza. IDF uses it for intelligence analysis, communication interception and tracking the movements of Palestinians. Critics like Aboussad and Agrawal argue that much of Microsoft’s technology makes Microsoft complicit in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Microsoft, meanwhile, reiterated the company’s commitment to hearing all voices but stressed that protests must not interfere with operations, urging participants to relocate if they do.
This episode mirrors a wider reckoning in Silicon Valley, where tech firms and universities face growing scrutiny over ties to Israel amid the Gaza conflict. “No Azure for Apartheid” hailed Aboussad and Agrawal as “brave,” urging others to speak out against complicity in “genocide” rather than remain silent for financial gain.