Dozens of Microsoft employees gathered at the company’s east campus in Redmond, Washington, on Tuesday to protest against the alleged use of Azure software by the Israeli military.
The demonstrators, current and former staff, occupied a designated area they called the “Free Zone.” They held signs reading “Join The Worker Intifada – No Labor for Genocide” and “Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza.”
The protest was organised by the No Azure for Genocide group. It follows a Guardian and +972 Magazine report claiming Israel’s Unit 8200 stored mobile call recordings of Palestinians on Microsoft’s cloud platform.
Microsoft launched an independent inquiry last week into the allegations. The company stated it has found no evidence that Azure was used to target civilians or their communications.
Employee Hossam Nasr explained the escalation came after the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif in Gaza. He said he felt compelled to protest after witnessing repeated attacks and civilian deaths.
Nasr, 26, who worked at Microsoft for three years, said, “I watched him report on Gaza relentlessly, through starvation, through extermination campaigns, through bombing. He was intentionally targeted.”
The protest lasted about two hours. Police asked demonstrators to leave, warning of arrest for trespassing. Microsoft said the employees complied and had nothing further to add.
Earlier this year, employee Joe Lopez interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella at the annual developer conference. He shouted, “Satya, how about you show how Microsoft is killing Palestinians?”
Nasreen Jaradat, 29, another Microsoft employee, said, “Every single second that we wait, things are worse in Palestine. People are getting hungrier and more are being bombed.”
Microsoft employs roughly 47,000 people at its Redmond campus. Some staff took flyers from protesters, while others continued lunching in nearby restaurants, observing quietly.
Julius Shan, 28, said the protests aim to educate employees. He added, “We are inspiring conversation among people at Microsoft to discuss how their work is contributing to genocide.”
UN and Gaza health authorities have warned of severe food shortages, disease, and malnutrition. The Gaza health ministry estimates at least 62,000 Palestinians have died since October in Israeli operations.
The Guardian and +972 Magazine reported that Israel’s military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, has been storing massive amounts of mobile call recordings of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank using Microsoft Azure.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside Seattle’s convention center in May. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
Microsoft said it was unaware of any civilian surveillance using its services. A spokesperson reiterated the company’s review found no evidence linking Azure or AI technologies to harming civilians in Gaza.
Protesters believe escalation is necessary due to the lack of adequate corporate response. Nasr and Jaradat stressed urgency, saying the humanitarian crisis requires stronger action from Microsoft.
The demonstrators expressed hope that employees will feel more comfortable discussing corporate accountability. They believe awareness within the company could lead to pressure on leadership to divest from Israel.
A 28-year-old employee observing the protest sympathized but doubted immediate results. He stated, “I don’t think it will have much impact,” preferring to remain unnamed.
Earlier coverage of the story noted that Israel relies on Microsoft cloud services for broad surveillance of Palestinians. Microsoft faces growing scrutiny from workers and activists over its involvement.
The protest was largely peaceful, with participants holding placards and engaging with passersby. Organisers emphasized this was part of an ongoing campaign, not a single event.
Microsoft continues its internal inquiry into the alleged use of its cloud platform. The company has interviewed dozens of staff and assessed documents to determine whether Azure technology was misused.
Employee participants argue that raising awareness is crucial. They want coworkers to understand the connection between their work and international humanitarian concerns.
The No Azure for Genocide group has previously organised demonstrations outside Microsoft events, including tech conferences. Employees say these actions highlight corporate responsibility in global conflicts.
Microsoft’s official stance remains that Azure and AI technologies were not employed to harm people in Gaza. Spokespersons say the company is committed to transparency and compliance with ethical standards.
The protest has sparked discussion among employees, encouraging dialogue on technology ethics and the social impact of corporate partnerships abroad.
Observers noted the protest’s timing coincided with heightened international focus on Gaza. Activists say awareness within Microsoft could drive meaningful change in company policy.
Despite differing opinions among staff, the protest signals a growing movement within tech firms to confront ethical concerns about how products are used worldwide.
