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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
