Why Microsoft Fired Moroccan Engineer Ibtihal Abou El Saad After Gaza Protest

 

Microsoft Terminates Moroccan Software Engineer Ibtihal Abou El Saad Over Protest Against Israel Collaboration

In a move that sparked widespread backlash, Microsoft fired Moroccan software engineer Ibtihal Abou El Saad after she publicly protested the company’s alleged collaboration with Israel during its 50th anniversary event. The protest, which occurred in front of top executives including Bill Gates, highlighted growing concerns over Microsoft’s involvement in the Gaza conflict and its impact on employee freedom of expression.

According to the Associated Press, Ibtihal and another colleague protested Microsoft’s ties with Israeli entities, accusing the company of contributing to the suffering of civilians through its cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies. This action came amid escalating violence in Gaza, where many accuse large tech companies of fueling digital surveillance and military operations.

On Monday, Microsoft’s Human Resources department scheduled a video call with Ibtihal Abou El Saad. During the meeting, she was informed of her immediate dismissal. The company has yet to provide an official explanation, and the incident has since gone viral across social media, with many defending her right to speak out. This has intensified the debate about freedom of speech in tech companies and the consequences of standing against corporate policies.

Ibtihal Abou El Saad, a respected Moroccan software developer, had built a strong reputation at Microsoft. She contributed to several key projects in software engineering and artificial intelligence, with a focus on ethical innovation. Her outspoken views on human rights and corporate responsibility often reflected a growing trend within the tech industry, where professionals are increasingly questioning the impact of their work.

Her termination sheds light on ethical issues in Microsoft’s global partnerships, particularly its alleged cooperation with Israeli defense and security sectors. Many critics argue that tech companies and human rights should not be in conflict, especially when services like cloud computing are used in sensitive geopolitical contexts.

The case of Ibtihal Abou El Saad is not isolated. In recent years, several employees across the tech world—from Google to Amazon and Microsoft—have faced internal pressure or even dismissal after voicing opposition to controversial company policies. This reflects a broader issue where freedom of expression within the tech industry is increasingly at risk.

Moreover, this situation has brought renewed scrutiny to Microsoft’s relationship with Israel, particularly in relation to the use of its technology in occupied Palestinian territories. Activists and rights organizations are now demanding transparency and urging Microsoft to reassess its ethical commitments.

In conclusion, the firing of Moroccan software engineer Ibtihal Abou El Saad over her protest against Microsoft’s stance on Gaza has raised important questions about corporate values, employee rights, and the influence of tech companies in global conflicts. As the industry continues to grow, so too does the responsibility of companies like Microsoft to ensure their technologies are used ethically and responsibly.