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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Tumakuru: Woman who slipped into gorge at waterfall rescued after 12-hour operation
Tumakuru (Karnataka), Oct 28: A young woman, who was trapped in a rocky terrain above a lake near Mandaragiri hills in the district while taking a selfie, survived miraculously on Monday, police said.
The police and firefighters brought her out safely after 12 hours of rescue operation.
Hamsa (19), a B Tech student from Shivarampur village in Gubbi Taluk, had gone on Sunday with her friend from Bengaluru to see the Mandaragiri Hill falls, which has come alive due to torrential rains in the last few days, police said.
"Water is gushing from a 30 feet high precipice and, coursing through the rocky terrain, falls into the Maidala lake," they added. “While taking a selfie at the foothill of Mandaragiri she slipped into the gorge and was trapped between the rocks,” a police officer said.
Seeing her disappearing into the gorge, her friend raised an alarm and shouted for help, police said.
Soon, villagers gathered there and called the police. The police team along with the fire and emergency services personnel reached the spot and, after a 12 hour of exercise, saved Hamsa.
Tumakuru Superintendent of Police Ashok K V told reporters that the police and fire fighters diverted the gushing water by putting sandbags and carried out the rescue operation.
"The whole night she could not be seen. After the water flow stopped, Hamsa was found alive in between the rocks. She was taken to the hospital where she was given first aid. Now she is stable in the hospital,” Ashok said.
The SP said that people have been restricted from going there to avoid any such incident, and appealed to them to be cautious.
A 19-year-old girl who had fallen into a lake while trying to take selfies rescued in #Karnataka's #Tumakuru. She spent a harrowing 12-hour ordeal before rescue personnel granted her a fresh lease of life. pic.twitter.com/JIa29zn8jT
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