In a notable incident during Microsoft’s annual Build developer conference in Seattle, an employee’s protest against the company’s involvement with the Israeli military led to his termination. Software engineer Joe Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella’s address, voicing his concerns regarding the use of Microsoft technology in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The disruption occurred early in the event, capturing the attention of attendees before Lopez was escorted from the venue.
Protests and Disruptions at the Conference
Lopez’s actions were not isolated; they marked the beginning of a series of pro-Palestinian protests throughout the conference, which attracted thousands of software developers. Attendees witnessed at least three separate disruptions of executive talks, prompting Microsoft to temporarily cut the audio of one livestreamed session. Outside the Seattle Convention Center, demonstrators gathered, amplifying their message to those entering the event.
Microsoft has a history of responding firmly to employee protests regarding its operations in Israel. This includes previous incidents at significant company events, such as its 50th anniversary celebration in April. Recently, the tech giant acknowledged providing AI services to the Israeli military amid the conflict in Gaza but maintained that there is no evidence suggesting its Azure platform or AI technologies have been used to target civilians.
Following his protest, Lopez received a termination letter, which, according to the advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid—comprised of current and former employees—he was unable to open. The group also claims that Microsoft has restricted internal communications, blocking emails that include terms like “Palestine” and “Gaza.” As of now, Microsoft has not responded to inquiries regarding its handling of the protests during the four-day conference, which concludes on Thursday.
