Microsoft Police Removal: Protesters Demand End to Alleged Israeli Military Use of Azure in Gaza Conflict
Microsoft has requested the intervention of local law enforcement to remove individuals who unlawfully entered a building at its Redmond, Washington headquarters in demonstration against the Israeli military’s alleged use of the company’s software during Gaza operations.
On Tuesday, employees associated with the group No Azure for Apartheid staged an indoor protest within a Microsoft campus building and gained access to Brad Smith’s office – Microsoft’s president. According to a statement from the group, protesters delivered a court summons notice at his office.
During a press briefing, Smith expressed disapproval of the protesters’ actions, stating that “when seven individuals forcibly enter a building, occupy an office, block others, plant devices like phones concealed under furniture and behind books – such behavior is not acceptable.”
He further explained that when these individuals were asked to leave and refused, they breached proper protocol, leading to their removal from the building by Redmond police. Smith clarified that out of the seven individuals who entered his office, two were employees.
While Microsoft generally supports employees’ freedom to express opinions, Smith noted that disciplinary action may be taken against those involved in the protest if they made threats or engaged in disruptive behavior.
Upon entering Building 34 at Microsoft, members of No Azure For Apartheid demanded an end to the company’s ties with Israel and a halt to alleged genocidal actions by the country. As tech megacap companies increasingly collaborate with defense agencies, particularly for advanced artificial intelligence technologies, these activities have garnered controversy, with the situation intensifying as Israel has escalated its military offensive in Gaza.
Last year, Google dismissed 28 employees who had trespassed on company premises, including some who accessed Thomas Kurian’s office – CEO of Google’s cloud unit, which held a contract with Israel’s government. No Azure for Apartheid has conducted several actions this year, including at Microsoft’s Build developer conference and during the celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary.
According to earlier reports by Bloomberg, a Microsoft director contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation as protests continued. Last week, No Azure For Apartheid staged protests around the company’s campus, resulting in 20 arrests on a single day. Among the arrested individuals, Smith stated that 16 have no history with Microsoft.
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that Israel’s military used Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure to store Palestinians’ phone calls, prompting the company to commission an independent investigation into whether Israel had utilized the company’s technology for surveillance purposes.
Smith emphasized that Microsoft aims to provide technology responsibly, stating, “The responsible course of action in such situations is to investigate and ascertain the truth regarding how our services are being used.” Most of Microsoft’s work with the Israeli Defense Force revolves around cybersecurity for Israel, Smith added, and the company expresses deep concern for those affected by a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, as well as the tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza who have perished since the war began.