Microsoft Fires Two Employees Over Anti-Israel Protest During 50th Anniversary Event

📝 DESCRIPTION
Microsoft fires employees for anti-Israel protest after two activists disrupted the tech giant’s 50th anniversary event in Redmond, Washington. Software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad interrupted AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman’s livestreamed keynote, accusing the company of supporting genocide in Gaza and throwing a keffiyeh on stage. A second employee, Vaniya Agrawal, echoed the same sentiments later in the event. Both were terminated, with Microsoft citing “hostile” and “disruptive” behavior. The activists are tied to the “No Azure for Apartheid” group protesting Microsoft’s cloud services contract with Israel. Microsoft defended the firings, saying they uphold standards while providing internal avenues for employee feedback. Prior incidents include employee walkouts and the October firing of two organizers of a pro-Palestinian event on campus. Critics say the company is suppressing political speech, while supporters argue it’s protecting corporate order. This incident highlights growing tensions between activism and corporate policy in the tech world.

🔍 KEYWORD
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