Microsoft fires two employees after vigil for Palestinians
Washington: Microsoft has terminated two employees following their participation in an unauthorized vigil held outside the company’s headquarters to honor Palestinian lives lost in Gaza. The vigil, organized independently by employees during lunch hours on Thursday, was held in memory of the Palestinians killed in what critics have called Israel’s “genocidal assault” on Gaza. Microsoft confirmed the terminations on Friday, stating that the employees were dismissed "in accordance with internal policy."
The fired employees, Abdo Mohamed and Hossam Nasr, were outspoken about their support for Palestinian rights. Mohamed, an Egyptian-born data scientist on a work visa, now faces a two-month window to secure employment and maintain his U.S. residency. Nasr, an organizer for Harvard Alumni for Palestine, had previously been disciplined for pro-Palestinian statements on Microsoft’s internal platform.
Microsoft’s decision has attracted significant backlash from anti-war organizations and Palestinian solidarity groups. CODEPINK, a prominent anti-war organization, criticized the move on social media, accusing Microsoft of "facilitating genocide" and "punishing those who stand for humanity." Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, echoed the condemnation, arguing that the tech giant’s policies support “genocide and apartheid.”
The terminations align with a broader debate within Microsoft over its ties to Israel. Both fired employees are part of No Azure for Apartheid, a group born from the larger No Tech for Apartheid campaign, which opposes the use of Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology in support of Israeli government operations. Microsoft has a history of collaboration with Israel, including Azure's support of Elbit Systems’ military simulation software and services provided to the Israeli Prison Service. The company's technology has continued to aid Israeli military departments as Project Nimbus transitions cloud services to Amazon and Google.
In addition to industry criticism, advocacy groups have also called for Microsoft to take accountability. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has demanded that Microsoft reinstate the two employees, arguing that the company is silencing “employees of conscience” who stand for human rights. CAIR-WA’s Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi said in a statement that these terminations demonstrate a double standard when it comes to support for Palestinian human rights. CAIR National’s Nihad Awad echoed this sentiment, urging Microsoft to rehire the employees and condemn what he called the “except for Palestine” rule, where corporations avoid supporting Palestinian rights advocacy.
Microsoft’s actions mirror recent instances of alleged retaliation across industries. Reports of Harvard Library suspending faculty for peaceful demonstrations and other terminations related to Palestinian advocacy have circulated, with similar criticisms directed at Google following its dismissal of employees who protested Project Nimbus earlier this year.
Despite the escalating response, Microsoft has not issued a public comment beyond confirming the terminations.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
