Mon May 19 21:10:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Microsoft faces ongoing employee protests, led by “No Azure for Apartheid,” over its contract with the Israel Ministry of Defense. The group alleges Microsoft’s technology is used to harm Palestinians in Gaza. Microsoft claims internal and external reviews found no evidence of its technology being used to target people in Gaza, stating its relationship is commercial, providing software and cloud services. The company also says it provided limited emergency support to the Israeli government after the October 7th attacks. Microsoft admits it lacks complete visibility into how Israel uses its technology and the protesting group finds Microsoft’s justification absurd, pointing out they don’t have insight into how their technologies are being used. “No Azure for Apartheid” plans to protest outside Microsoft’s Build conference.

**News Article:**

**Microsoft Defends Israel Contract Amid Employee Protests, Claims No Evidence of Gaza Targeting**

**Seattle, WA** – Microsoft is facing renewed scrutiny over its relationship with the Israel Ministry of Defense, as employee-led protests intensify ahead of the company’s annual Build conference. The group “No Azure for Apartheid” plans to rally in Seattle’s Westlake Park today, coinciding with the start of the conference, to protest what they claim is Microsoft’s complicity in harming Palestinians in Gaza through its technology.

The protests come in response to Microsoft’s contract with the Israel Ministry of Defense, which provides the Israeli government with software and cloud services. “No Azure for Apartheid” alleges that this technology is being used to target civilians in Gaza.

Microsoft, in a blog post released Friday, addressed these concerns, stating that internal and external reviews have found no evidence to support the claims that its technology is being used to target people in Gaza. The company emphasized that its relationship with the Israeli government is primarily commercial. “As with many governments around the world, we also work with the Israeli government to protect its national cyberspace against external threats,” the post said.

The company acknowledges that it lacks complete visibility into how the Israeli government utilizes its technology. They added that they provided limited emergency support to the Israeli government after the October 7th attacks.

“No Azure for Apartheid” dismissed Microsoft’s statement as “absurd justifications,” highlighting the company’s admission that it doesn’t have full insight into how its technologies are being used. “In one breath, they claim that their technology is not being used to harm people in Gaza,” said Hossam Nasr, an organizer for No Azure for Apartheid, “While also admitting they don’t have insight into how their technologies are being used.”

The group remains undeterred by Microsoft’s defense and plans to proceed with their rally today, vowing to continue protesting until Microsoft cuts ties with the Israeli government. This latest protest follows a series of disruptions by the group at Microsoft events, including the company’s 50th-anniversary celebration and a recent GeekWire event. These disruptions have led to the firings of employees affiliated with the group.

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