Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Microsoft Build 2025 Conference

Date: May 26, 2025
By:  Technology CorrespondentWikipedia+3AP News+3The Verge+3

The Microsoft Build 2025 developer conference in Seattle faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters, including Microsoft employees, interrupted keynote speeches to protest the company's ties with the Israeli military.The Times of India+9AP News+9The Times of India+9

Key Incidents

• Joe Lopez's Protest: On May 19, Microsoft software engineer Joe Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella's keynote, accusing the company of complicity in Israeli military actions through its Azure cloud services. Lopez was escorted out by security and subsequently terminated from his position. Instagram+4The Guardian+4The Times of India+4

• Subsequent Disruptions: The following day, a Palestinian tech worker interrupted a session led by Jay Parikh, head of CoreAI, chanting slogans like "My people are suffering" and "No Azure for apartheid." These protests were supported by the activist group No Azure for Apartheid. Wikipedia+6The Verge+6The Guardian+6

• External Demonstrations: Pro-Palestinian protesters also gathered outside the Seattle Convention Center, waving Palestinian flags and signs to oppose Microsoft's involvement with the Israeli military. The Times of India+2FOX 13 Seattle+2AP News+2

Microsoft's Response

In response to the internal dissent, Microsoft implemented filters on its internal email system to block terms such as "Palestine," "Gaza," and "genocide," aiming to control unsolicited mass communications within the company. Instagram+2New York Post+2Perplexity AI+2

The company stated that its relationship with the Israeli Ministry of Defense is structured as a standard commercial relationship and that it has found no evidence that its technologies have been used to harm civilians. The Guardian+4The Verge+4FOX 13 Seattle+4

Broader Context

These protests at Microsoft Build 2025 are part of a larger movement within the tech industry, where employees and activists are calling on companies to reconsider their contracts and partnerships with government entities involved in conflicts. The events at the conference highlight the growing tension between corporate operations and employee advocacy on ethical issues.