What was meant to be a celebratory moment for Microsoft’s 50th anniversary turned into a scene of confrontation and protest, as pro-Palestinian voices — including current and now-former employees — interrupted the event to condemn the company’s alleged role in supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
“Shame on all of you”: Protester confronts Microsoft leadership
During a panel featuring Microsoft veterans Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella, Indian-American software engineer Vaniya Agrawal interrupted the session with a powerful outcry: “50,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been murdered with Microsoft technology. How dare you. Shame on all of you for celebrating on their blood.”
Agrawal denounced the company’s reported $133 million contract with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, claiming Microsoft’s cloud and AI services are aiding what she described as a genocide.
Resignation in protest
Soon after the disruption, Agrawal submitted a company-wide resignation letter, which was later accessed by The Verge. In her message, she stated, “I cannot, in good conscience, be part of a company that participates in this violent injustice… our labor powers this genocide.”
She described Microsoft as a “digital weapons manufacturer”, accusing it of violating its human rights commitments. Her email ended with a clear message: “Farewell and Free Palestine.”
Her resignation will take effect on April 11.
Second protest interrupts AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman
Earlier during the event, another Microsoft employee, Ibtihal Aboussad, confronted AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman while he was discussing the company’s AI assistant, Copilot. “Microsoft technologies are being used to commit acts of genocide,” Aboussad said aloud in the hall.
Suleyman responded and said, “Thank you for your protest, I hear you.”
Aboussad was later escorted out. She later told Reuters that she lost access to her work account following the protest.
Silence from Microsoft
Microsoft has not commented publicly on the resignations or the accusations made during the anniversary. The company continued to highlight its latest AI and cloud innovations during the event, but the protests forced a sharp and unexpected turn in the event’s tone.
Background: Gaza war fuels dissent
The protest comes amid international concern over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which began in October 2023. Since then, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced.
Israel denies allegations of genocide, saying that its operations target Hamas militants.
