Microsoft has dismissed two more employees — Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan — over their involvement in protests linked to the No Azure for Apartheid movement at the company’s headquarters. The development comes weeks after the tech giant terminated Anna Hattle and Riki Fameli for similar actions.
The protest, organized at Microsoft’s Redmond campus, saw demonstrators set up encampments and stage sit-ins, demanding that the company sever ties with Israel. According to Microsoft, the actions created “significant safety concerns.”
In an Instagram post, the activist collective No Azure for Apartheid confirmed the dismissals, noting:
“Earlier this week, two current and four former Microsoft workers, along with one other tech employee, were arrested for their participation in a sit-in at the office of Microsoft president Bradford Smith. This action is the latest in a series of worker-led efforts under the banner of the Worker Intifada, calling on Microsoft to cut ties with Israel.”
Who are Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan?
Jaradat had previously drawn attention inside Microsoft after sending a mass email alleging she was “fed up” with being treated unfairly as a Palestinian employee. Both Jaradat and Shan are now among a growing list of staffers who have lost their jobs for their participation in the protest movement.
Microsoft’s Denial of Allegations
The protests are fueled by claims that Microsoft’s Azure cloud services are being used by the Israeli military for surveillance of Palestinians. In response, Microsoft published a blog post denying the allegations, stating it had conducted both internal and external reviews:
“We have found no evidence to date that Microsoft’s Azure or AI technologies have been used to target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza,” the company said.
Broader Context
The firings highlight rising tensions within major tech companies, where employee activism on issues like Palestine, climate change, and government contracts has increasingly clashed with corporate policies.
