Microsoft employee protests lead to 18 arrests as company reviews work with Israel’s military
TOI World Desk | Aug 26, 2025, 17:35 IST
Highlight of the story: Police arrested 18 protesters at Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters after employee-led demonstrations calling for the company to end its ties with Israel’s military escalated on Wednesday. The arrests come as Microsoft announced an “urgent” independent review into allegations that its technology has been used in surveillance and military operations in Gaza.
Police arrested 18 people Wednesday during protests at Microsoft’s corporate campus as the tech giant faces mounting pressure from employees and activists to end contracts with Israel’s military amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
The protests, organized by the worker-led coalition No Azure for Apartheid, followed earlier demonstrations at the Redmond, Washington, headquarters this week demanding Microsoft immediately sever its business relationships with Israel. On Tuesday, about 35 participants departed peacefully after Microsoft asked them to leave. By contrast, on Wednesday, protesters reportedly splattered red paint resembling blood over Microsoft’s landmark sign and resisted orders to vacate, prompting police intervention.
“We said, ‘Please leave or you will be arrested,’ and they chose not to leave so they were detained,” Redmond Police Department spokesperson Jill Green said. The department confirmed the individuals were taken into custody on charges that include trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction. No injuries were reported.
The demonstrations coincide with Microsoft’s decision to initiate an independent review of its contracts and technology use by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The review, to be conducted by Covington & Burling LLP, follows a July investigation by The Guardian reporting that the IDF used Microsoft’s Azure cloud service to store phone call data obtained through extensive surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Microsoft’s standard terms of service prohibit this type of usage,” the company stated Friday, adding that the allegations warrant “a full and urgent review.”
This comes months after an Associated Press report in February disclosed details of Microsoft’s partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The report found that military applications of Microsoft’s commercial artificial intelligence software rose nearly 200 times after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel. AP further reported that Azure cloud services were used to process intelligence later integrated with Israel’s AI-enabled targeting systems.
While Microsoft previously acknowledged military use of its technologies, the company said a prior review found no evidence that Azure facilitated the targeting or harming of civilians in Gaza. It did not release that review publicly or specify who conducted it.
For employee activists, however, the new review falls short. No Azure for Apartheid accused Microsoft of complicity in civilian harm, stating the technology is “being used to surveil, starve and kill Palestinians.” The group has repeatedly staged high-profile disruptions, including protests at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration and a speech by CEO Satya Nadella earlier this year, which led to multiple firings.
Microsoft reiterated after Wednesday’s arrests that while it is committed to human rights standards in the Middle East, it will continue to enforce property protections and business continuity. “We will continue to do the hard work needed to uphold our human rights standards in the Middle East, while supporting and taking clear steps to address unlawful actions that damage property, disrupt business or that threaten and harm others,” the company said in a statement.
The protests highlight growing employee dissent within major U.S. technology companies over military contracts, particularly in conflict zones. Microsoft has promised to disclose the results of the ongoing investigation once its independent review is complete.
The protests, organized by the worker-led coalition No Azure for Apartheid, followed earlier demonstrations at the Redmond, Washington, headquarters this week demanding Microsoft immediately sever its business relationships with Israel. On Tuesday, about 35 participants departed peacefully after Microsoft asked them to leave. By contrast, on Wednesday, protesters reportedly splattered red paint resembling blood over Microsoft’s landmark sign and resisted orders to vacate, prompting police intervention.
“We said, ‘Please leave or you will be arrested,’ and they chose not to leave so they were detained,” Redmond Police Department spokesperson Jill Green said. The department confirmed the individuals were taken into custody on charges that include trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction. No injuries were reported.
The demonstrations coincide with Microsoft’s decision to initiate an independent review of its contracts and technology use by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The review, to be conducted by Covington & Burling LLP, follows a July investigation by The Guardian reporting that the IDF used Microsoft’s Azure cloud service to store phone call data obtained through extensive surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Microsoft’s standard terms of service prohibit this type of usage,” the company stated Friday, adding that the allegations warrant “a full and urgent review.”
This comes months after an Associated Press report in February disclosed details of Microsoft’s partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The report found that military applications of Microsoft’s commercial artificial intelligence software rose nearly 200 times after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel. AP further reported that Azure cloud services were used to process intelligence later integrated with Israel’s AI-enabled targeting systems.
While Microsoft previously acknowledged military use of its technologies, the company said a prior review found no evidence that Azure facilitated the targeting or harming of civilians in Gaza. It did not release that review publicly or specify who conducted it.
For employee activists, however, the new review falls short. No Azure for Apartheid accused Microsoft of complicity in civilian harm, stating the technology is “being used to surveil, starve and kill Palestinians.” The group has repeatedly staged high-profile disruptions, including protests at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration and a speech by CEO Satya Nadella earlier this year, which led to multiple firings.
Microsoft reiterated after Wednesday’s arrests that while it is committed to human rights standards in the Middle East, it will continue to enforce property protections and business continuity. “We will continue to do the hard work needed to uphold our human rights standards in the Middle East, while supporting and taking clear steps to address unlawful actions that damage property, disrupt business or that threaten and harm others,” the company said in a statement.
The protests highlight growing employee dissent within major U.S. technology companies over military contracts, particularly in conflict zones. Microsoft has promised to disclose the results of the ongoing investigation once its independent review is complete.