Microsoft Engineer Resigns Over Cloud Contract with Israeli Military

A Microsoft engineer has resigned after 13 years with the company, citing ongoing concerns over the tech giant’s cloud services provision to the Israeli military and what he perceives as a lack of internal dialogue regarding the conflict in Gaza.

Scott Sutfin-Glowski, a principal software engineer, announced to his colleagues on Thursday that this week would be his last. His departure underscores the ethical dilemmas faced by tech employees grappling with the implications of their work in regions of geopolitical conflict.

“I can no longer accept enabling what may be the worst atrocities of our time,” Sutfin-Glowski stated in his resignation letter, echoing sentiments previously expressed by other tech workers across various companies.

The resignation letter references a February report by the Associated Press, which detailed that the Israeli military held at least 635 Microsoft subscriptions. Sutfin-Glowski claimed most of these subscriptions remained active, despite internal protests and growing public scrutiny. The specific services encompassed by these subscriptions and their precise utilization by the Israeli military remain a subject of intense debate and speculation within the company and the broader tech community.

Microsoft declined to comment when reached for a statement. The company’s official position remains neutral, emphasizing its commitment to providing technology solutions that adhere to international laws and ethical guidelines.

Sutfin-Glowski’s resignation occurs a day after reports surfaced of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered after two years of intense conflict. The United States is reportedly deploying approximately 200 troops to Israel to support the ceasefire deal, a move that has been met with mixed reactions globally.

This conflict has ignited significant internal divisions within Microsoft, prompting ongoing discussions and debates about the ethics of providing technology to parties involved in armed conflicts. The company’s leadership faces the challenge of navigating these complex ethical considerations while maintaining its business objectives and employee morale.

For months, employees have protested the company’s cloud services provided to the Israeli military. In previous months last year, five employees were terminated after engaging in disruptive protest activities which management considered inappropriate and in violation of company policies.

In September, Microsoft stated it had discontinued particular services to a division within the Israeli Ministry of Defense, although specifics were not disclosed. This decision followed an investigation into a news report alleging the Israeli Defense Forces’ Unit 8200 had developed a system for tracking Palestinians’ phone calls. The incident highlighted the potential for technology to be used in ways that raise privacy and human rights concerns.

Sutfin-Glowski further alleges that Microsoft has curtailed communication channels, limiting employees’ ability to voice concerns regarding the Israeli military’s use of its products. This claim raises questions regarding the company’s commitment to transparency and open dialogue on sensitive ethical issues. Critics argue that stifling internal dissent can lead to a lack of accountability and potentially exacerbate ethical breaches.

Demonstrations continued outside Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, throughout Thursday, with employees and community members displaying banners calling for the company to sever ties with Israel, according to a statement from No Azure for Apartheid. The organization claims over 1,500 employees have petitioned Microsoft to endorse a ceasefire; however, the company insists its business dealings are legally sound.

“Today, the ceasefire in Gaza takes effect after two years of conflict, but the atrocities, human rights abuses, and violations of international laws continue,” Sutfin-Glowski wrote.