Using Microsoft Cloud to End ties with Genocide: I’m All You Need, But I Can’t Become a Part of It
I joined Microsoft one year and a half ago, while I was still observing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel. I’ve seen unspeakable suffering amidst Israel’s mass human rights violations – indiscriminate carpet bombings, the targeting of hospitals and schools, and the continuation of an apartheid state – all of which have been condemned globally by the UN, ICC, and ICJ, and numerous human rights organizations. And as I write this, Israel has broken the ceasefire and resumed its full-scale genocide in Gaza. Just days ago, it was revealed that Israel killed fifteen paramedics and rescue workers in Gaza, executing them “one by one,” before burying them in the sand — yet another horrific war crime. Our labor powers this genocide, and I cannot be a part of a company that participates in it.
Silence is complicity. But action always has a reaction, no matter how big or small. We have to use our voices to demand that Microsoft stop selling technology to the Israeli military.
The Israeli military uses Microsoft Azure to gather and process information from mass surveillance, which includes phone calls, texts and audio messages, according to an Israeli intelligence officer who works with the systems. That data can then be cross-checked with Israel’s in-house targeting systems.”
Microsoft is so connected to the Israeli military that yesterday they were designated a priority boycott target by the boycott campaign.
Regardless of your political stances, is this the legacy we want to leave behind? Is working on deadly AI weapons something you can tell your children about? Do we want to be on the wrong side of history?
Even though your work is unrelated to the military’s use of the cloud you will still be beneficial to the company because of it. Regardless of your team, you serve a company that is arming the Israeli occupation. Part of your compensation is being paid by genocide, no matter how small.
This is why I decided to speak up today, and why I signed this important petition to demand Microsoft cut ties with genocide. And I urge you all to do the same.
We won’t write code that kills, if you sign the petition. Join the campaign to add your voice to the growing number of Microsoft employees.
Join me in showing our discontent in this thread. If you also feel tricked into deploying weapons which target children and civilians, urge leadership (CC’ed) to drop these contracts.
Know that Microsoft’s human rights statement prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises a human rights-related concern:
Human rights statement | Microsoft CSR
As you might have just seen on the livestream or witnessed in person, I disrupted the speech of Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman during the highly-anticipated 50th anniversary celebration. Here is the reason.
Like most, I joined Microsoft believing in its mission to “empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” I believed in its “commitment to respecting and promoting human rights.” I believed that Microsoft was dedicated to philanthropy and promoting fundamental rights around the world.
Leaving Microsoft is not an option for many people. If you must continue to work at Microsoft, I urge you to use your position, power, and privilege to hold Microsoft accountable to its own values and mission:
