Microsoft was reported to have requested the help of the FBI and local police in tracking down and contain a wave of Gaza-related protests by its own employees — who over the weekend showed up on kayaks in front of the lakeside homes of the tech giant’s top executives.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to Lake Washington last 24 August, circling near the waterfront mansions of CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith with banners and chants accusing Microsoft of profiting from Israel’s war in Gaza, according to Bloomberg News.
The report was published hours before at least two pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested for taking part in a group sit-in during which they occupied Smith’s office at Microsoft headquarters, according to a report.
The dramatic scene was the latest in the growing revolt inside the world’s largest software maker, where a group of workers calling itself "No Azure for Apartheid" has spent nearly a year demanding the company cut ties with Israel’s military.
They argue Microsoft’s Azure cloud service is helping fuel war crimes. Instead of bowing to pressure, the company turned to law enforcement.
Internal emails reviewed by Bloomberg show Microsoft investigators contacted the FBI’s Seattle office, flagging employees and even relatives linked to protests while warning that demonstrations could disrupt major events.
"One of our former employees in particular, Hossam Nasr, has been quite active in his posts targeting Microsoft and that we are complicit in genocide," a director of investigations told the bureau.
Nasr, a software engineer who remains active with "No Azure for Apartheid," and another colleague were reportedly fired by Microsoft in October of last year for organizing a lunchtime vigil and fundraiser for Palestinians in Gaza at company headquarters in Redmond, Wash.
When reached by Bloomberg, the FBI declined to discuss its dealings with Microsoft but said it focuses on criminal threats while respecting free speech.
In April, engineer Ibtihal Aboussad hurled a Palestinian keffiyeh onto the stage during a keynote speech by AI chief Mustafa Suleyman.
Hours later, colleague Vaniya Agrawal interrupted a panel featuring Nadella, Gates and Ballmer. Both resigned in protest.
Weeks later, engineer Joe Lopez jumped on a chair during Nadella’s remarks, accusing him of “perpetuating war crimes.” He was fired that night.
And last week, police zip-tied and hauled off 20 protesters after they formed a “liberated zone” on a Redmond plaza and chanted executives’ names.
Smith defended the crackdown.
"To have them engaging in vandalism and destructive behavior obviously makes clear that this aspect of the issue is no longer about dialogue with employees," Smith told Bloomberg.
"It’s a matter for law enforcement, and that’s how we’re treating it."
For Microsoft — which has largely avoided the scandals dogging its Big Tech peers — the controversy thrusts it into the center of one of the most polarizing issues in global politics. The company insists it isn’t complicit in Israel’s war effort.
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