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Microsoft has dismissed two additional employees who joined recent protests against the company’s contracts with the Israeli military and government. The employees, Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan, were let go “in connection” with protests where demonstrators set up encampments at Microsoft’s headquarters, according to Hossam Nasr, an organizer with the No Azure for Apartheid group.
In addition, two other Microsoft employees were dismissed last night due to their role in a protest where members accessed a company building and live-streamed from the office of Microsoft president Brad Smith. Previously, Jaradat circulated a mass email within Microsoft expressing her dissatisfaction with the company’s treatment of her as a Palestinian employee, challenging the internal language restrictions regarding Palestine and Gaza.
Throughout the year, the No Azure for Apartheid group has engaged in public actions against Microsoft. They interrupted live streamed presentations by Microsoft executives multiple times this spring. Recently, they attempted to occupy a plaza at Microsoft’s headquarters. After being removed, they returned with tents and tables, pouring red paint on a Microsoft sign, leading to 18 arrests.
The protesters returned on Tuesday for a demonstration in Smith’s office. Afterward, Smith held a press conference stating that Microsoft is “working every day” to investigate potential misuse of Azure in Israel. However, he condemned the protesters’ actions as “not ok.”
Microsoft declined to provide an attributable statement to The Verge.
