During the Build developer conference in Seattle, Washington, this morning, a Microsoft employee interrupted CEO Satya Nadella’s keynote speech to voice opposition to the company’s cloud and AI contracts with the Israeli government. As Nadella spoke, a protester shouted, “Free Palestine!” prompting security to escort him and others from the venue.
Joe Lopez, a firmware engineer on Microsoft’s Azure hardware systems team for the past four years, participated in the demonstration. He was accompanied by a former Google employee who had previously protested against Google’s cloud services related to Israel.
When approached for comment regarding the protest, Microsoft did not provide a response before publication.
In an email sent shortly after the disruption, Lopez reached out to thousands of Microsoft employees expressing his disappointment with the company’s leadership. His remarks followed Microsoft’s recent denial that its Azure and AI technologies have caused harm in Gaza amid employee protests over the situation.
Lopez emphasized in his communication, “Leadership rejects our claims that Azure technology is being used to target or harm civilians in Gaza. Those of us who have been paying attention know that this is a bold-faced lie. Every byte of data stored in the cloud can and will be used as justification to level cities and exterminate Palestinians.”
Last week, Microsoft announced that it had conducted an internal review and engaged an external firm to evaluate the use of its technology in the Gaza conflict. The company stated its relationship with the Israel Ministry of Defense is a “standard commercial relationship” and found no evidence that its products have harmed civilians or that the Ministry has violated its terms of service or AI Code of Conduct.
This protest follows a recent incident where two former Microsoft employees interrupted the company’s 50th-anniversary celebration, with one labeling Microsoft’s AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, a “war profiteer” and urging the corporation to cease using AI in connection with genocide. Additionally, a second protester interrupted key figures including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during the event.
The demonstrations are organized by No Azure for Apartheid, a collective of current and former Microsoft employees advocating against the company’s contracts with the Israeli government. The group accuses Microsoft of perpetuating an apartheid state by continuing to provide cloud and AI services to Israel despite the ongoing conflict. They also reference media reports detailing the Israeli military’s reliance on Azure and OpenAI technologies for mass surveillance and other operations.
Hossam Nasr, an organizer of No Azure for Apartheid and a former Microsoft employee terminated for holding a vigil for Palestinians in Gaza, criticized the company’s statements, calling them contradictory. “In one breath, they claim their technology is not being used to harm people in Gaza, while also asserting they lack insight into how their technologies are deployed,” Nasr remarked. “Their intention with this statement appears to be more about managing their public image than addressing the concerns of their employees.”
The full text of Joe Lopez’s email follows:
Fellow Microsoft workers and Microsoft leadership, Today, you may have seen or heard about my disruption during the Microsoft Build keynote. I have been part of the Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure (AHSI) team for four years. While I’ve had positive experiences at Microsoft, I can no longer remain silent as the company facilitates Israel’s ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
Like many of you, I have been horrified by the ongoing genocide in Gaza. I am appalled by the apathy of leaders while Palestinian people are suffering and pleading for the world’s attention and action.
I have tried to contribute in small ways—staying informed, sharing information, signing petitions, and donating—while continuing my work at Microsoft.
My disillusionment with Microsoft
I became aware of the No Azure for Apartheid movement, whose members have been actively organizing and speaking out. Their disruption during Microsoft’s 50th anniversary shocked me into realizing the gravity of our work. Is my work contributing to killing innocent lives?
I felt a profound disillusionment upon realizing the silence from our leaders. Why is there no denial from them against these accusations?
My research led me to disturbing evidence that our technology is being used to further harm the Palestinian people.
Every day, I feel burdened by the thought that our work is enabling the oppression of innocents. My belief in Microsoft’s ethical stance has been shattered; I no longer see us as merely empowering people.
Microsoft’s admission of complicity
The recent blog post from Microsoft serves as a disappointing response to years of cries for accountability. Their statement fails to alleviate my concerns. An internal audit claiming no wrongdoing by Microsoft does not provide comfort. They openly admitted to granting the Israel Ministry of Defense “special access” to our technologies. What does this entail?
Leadership dismisses our allegations regarding Azure technology impacting civilians in Gaza. However, those who are aware recognize this as a flagrant falsehood. Every piece of data stored in the cloud could be twisting justifications for bombings and violence. We don’t need an audit to see that one of our major customers is implicated in acts against humanity.
Microsoft possesses unparalleled power as a global player to demand an end to this tragedy, or we must withdraw our technological support from Israel. If leadership continues to overlook this call to action, it will not go unnoticed, and the public is already reacting.
Call to action
One day, my children may ask me what I did for the Palestinian people during their suffering. I hope they can forgive my earlier inaction. Many of you might face similar reflections with your own children. What will you tell them?
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, I share my fears about silence and inaction—that those suffering in war should find defenders. I acknowledge my privilege as a relatively secure individual capable of speaking out.
Even small actions hold weight when lives are at stake. Join the movement, sign petitions, and engage others in conversation. If you feel compelled to exit Microsoft over these issues, we support such decisions. Silence will only cost us our humanity.
Reflecting on my previous silence, I now understand the urgency of action.
Best,
Joe
