15.02.2026 22:22
During Microsoft's 50th anniversary event, software engineer Vaniya Agrawal, who was protesting the services the company provides to Israel while company executives were on stage and was subsequently fired, said, "I felt my hands were covered in blood, and I couldn't bring myself to continue working there."
Software engineer Vaniya Agrawal shouted, "Shame on all of you, you are all hypocrites," during a protest at Microsoft's 50th anniversary event in April 2025, while co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and CEO Satya Nadella were on stage.
Agrawal, who stated that 50,000 Palestinians were killed with Microsoft technology in Gaza at that time, was removed from the hall after saying, "Shame on all of you for celebrating over their blood. Cut your ties with Israel." A few days later, Agrawal's employment was terminated along with Ibtihal Aboussad, who participated in another protest at the same event.
"I REALIZED THAT MICROSOFT HAD A DIRECT ROLE IN THE ONGOING GENOCIDE IN GAZA"
Agrawal, who was awarded the Communicator Award at the TRT World Citizen Awards program held in Istanbul under the principle of "Inspiring Positive Change," shared his reflections on his experience.
Stating that he joined Microsoft a week before October 7, 2023, Agrawal said, "The following week, I quickly realized that the company I worked for had a direct role in the escalation of the ongoing occupation and the genocide in Gaza."
As he learned more about the company's direct ties to the Israeli army and contracts providing cloud and artificial intelligence services, Agrawal began to feel responsible as well, saying, "The more I learned about this, the more I started to feel like an accomplice."
"I COULDN'T COMPREHEND CONTINUING TO WORK THERE"
Agrawal stated, "Even though I didn't work directly on the technology used to surveil and target Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, I felt that giving my time, energy, and life to a company that is complicit in this genocide made me an accomplice as well. I felt my hands were stained with blood, and I couldn't comprehend continuing to work there."
During this process, Agrawal mentioned that he became acquainted with a campaign that helped Microsoft employees exert pressure on the company management, realizing that he needed to raise his voice using his position and privilege.
"I NEVER EXPECTED MY MESSAGE TO REACH SUCH A WIDE AUDIENCE"
When asked if he regretted losing his job after his protest, Agrawal replied, "It was 100% worth it." He noted that his messages resonated globally, stating, "Our goal was to educate people, raise awareness, and change public perception of Microsoft, and even if I changed the opinion of a few employees within Microsoft, I would feel that what I did was worth it and its cost."
Agrawal expressed that being remembered alongside martyrs and journalists at the TRT World Citizen Awards ceremony made him feel that his sacrifice was very small compared to the struggle in Gaza. He mentioned that he did not foresee the protest footage spreading so widely, saying, "I never expected my message to reach such a wide audience, but I am very happy that it did."
Agrawal stated that their campaigns have continued to increase direct pressure on Microsoft since their protest, saying, "Just a few months ago, as a result of all our direct actions, we saw Microsoft partially withdraw from Unit 8200, the Israeli army's intelligence unit. This was a significant victory for technology workers fighting for the freedom of Palestine." He noted that this was an unprecedented step for large technology companies.
"THINK ABOUT CREATING A COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZING WITHIN THE COMPANY"
Agrawal also addressed technology workers who work for companies collaborating with Israel and are considering leaving or protesting, stating that employees in large technology companies are in a unique position. He mentioned that employees have channels to exert internal pressure on company executives and access information that the public does not have.
Expressing that it is essential to evaluate how to resist from within before considering leaving the company, Agrawal stated: "Consider creating a community by talking to your colleagues, gathering with people you work with and who share your views, and organizing within the company. Sometimes this can be just as effective, if not more so, than protesting and leaving. If you have the chance to leave and can take that risk, don't leave quietly. Speak up, raise your voice, and speak as loudly as you can."
"RAISE YOUR VOICE AND REFUSE TO STAY SILENT"
Agrawal stated that companies want their employees to stay silent and feel isolated, saying, "Anything we can do to break this makes a significant difference. No action is too small."
Calling on people to raise their voices, Agrawal concluded his remarks by saying, "When it comes to communication, sometimes the biggest thing you can do is to say something. Raise your voice and refuse to stay silent. Hold your company accountable and demand a return on your labor. Know where your labor is going, what you are spending your time and energy on, and refuse to give your time, energy, and money to a company that is complicit in genocide."