REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft has terminated two employees who were involved in recent protests against the tech giant’s collaboration with the Israeli military and government. The firings of Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan are linked to demonstrations that included setting up encampments at the company’s headquarters, as confirmed by Hossam Nasr, an organizer affiliated with the activist group No Azure for Apartheid.

These dismissals follow the termination of two other Microsoft workers who participated in a previous protest that gained significant attention. Protesters had occupied a company building and live-streamed inside the office of Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith. Jaradat had made headlines earlier by sending a company-wide email expressing her frustration with how Microsoft treats its Palestinian employees, defying internal policies against discussing sensitive topics related to Palestine and Gaza.

The No Azure for Apartheid group has been active throughout the year, staging several public actions to voice their discontent with Microsoft’s contracts. Their tactics have included disrupting presentations from Microsoft executives during live streams and attempting to occupy a plaza at the company’s headquarters. After being forcibly removed, protesters returned the next day with tents and red paint, covering a Microsoft sign in the symbolic hue. This event led to the arrest of 18 individuals.

On a recent Tuesday, protesters returned to Microsoft for another demonstration in Smith’s office. Following the event, Smith held a press conference, emphasizing that Microsoft is “working every day” to monitor potential misuse of its Azure cloud services in Israel. However, he stated that the methods employed by the protesters were “not okay.”

The situation highlights the growing tension between corporate policies and employee activism, especially concerning controversial political issues. As Microsoft navigates these protests, the responses from both the company and its employees remain under scrutiny, reflecting a broader discourse on corporate responsibility and ethical governance.

Microsoft has not issued a detailed statement regarding the recent layoffs or the ongoing protests, opting instead to remain silent in the face of mounting internal and external pressure. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the company will respond to activist demands and public sentiment surrounding its international contracts.