• Microsoft terminated four employees following recent protests against its ties to Israel.
• The firings included two who participated in a sit-in at the office of President Brad Smith.
• Protesters demanded that Microsoft sever business ties with Israel and provide reparations to Palestinians.
• Activist group No Azure for Apartheid condemned the firings, stating they were an attempt to silence dissent.
• The protests come in response to claims that Microsoft's Azure software is being used for military surveillance in Gaza.

Microsoft has fired four employees in connection with protests held at its Redmond headquarters regarding the company's alleged support for Israel amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The dismissed employees, Anna Hattle, Riki Fameli, Nisreen Jaradat, and Julius Shan, were part of a demonstration organized by the group No Azure for Apartheid, which is calling for the company to sever its ties with Israel and provide reparations to Palestinians. Microsoft cited "serious breaches of company policies" as the reason for the terminations, claiming that the protests created significant safety concerns for its workforce, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

The protest involved a sit-in at President Brad Smith's office, during which the activists demanded the company take action against its ties to Israel, which they argued facilitate human rights violations. Hattle was quoted saying, "We are here because Microsoft continues to provide Israel with the tools it needs to commit genocide while gaslighting and misdirecting its own workers about this reality," highlighting the intense emotions surrounding the protests, as reported by TRT Global and Dawn.

The recent firings follow a pattern of employee activism at Microsoft, with previous protests resulting in dismissals as well. Earlier this year, during Microsoft's 50th anniversary events, pro-Palestinian protests led to the firing of two other employees, marking a trend of dissent against corporate policies related to Israel. Microsoft's spokesperson stated that the company is actively cooperating with law enforcement and that the conduct exhibited by the protesters was "entirely unacceptable," as stated by AA and India Times.

These events have drawn attention to the ethical implications of Microsoft’s business practices, particularly in light of recent investigative reports suggesting that Microsoft's Azure cloud service is being utilized by an Israeli military agency for surveillance of Palestinians, as noted in reports from multiple sources including Al Jazeera and TRT Global. The activist group has vowed to continue its pressure on the tech giant to reconsider its affiliations.