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In a significant development, Microsoft has announced that it will cut off access to certain cloud and AI services used by the Israeli military, following revelations about the mass surveillance of Palestinians. The decision, confirmed by Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President Brad Smith in a memo to employees, comes on the heels of last month’s investigative reports from The Guardian. These reports highlighted how the Israeli government used Microsoft’s Azure platform to handle a staggering volume of data, including as many as one million phone call recordings per hour from Palestinian citizens.
Smith stated that during an ongoing review prompted by these reports, Microsoft found corroborating evidence concerning their implications. As a result, the company has communicated its intention to cease specific subscriptions and services related to the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD), ensuring compliance with its service terms and reaffirming its stance against the facilitation of civilian mass surveillance.
While the halt pertains to a limited number of services used by a particular unit of the IMOD, Microsoft’s ongoing contracts with the Israeli government remain unaffected. Smith emphasized that this decision does not hinder Microsoft’s essential cybersecurity work for Israel and other nations across the Middle East under the Abraham Accords framework.
In response to the disclosures, the Israeli military has reportedly begun migrating significant amounts of data—up to eight terabytes—away from Azure, with plans to transfer it to Amazon Web Services. Microsoft has reached out to Amazon for a comment regarding this transition. The escalating scrutiny surrounding Microsoft’s dealings with the Israeli government has also led to internal upheaval, including the termination of five employees amid protests against the company’s contracts linked to Israel. Demonstrations have included sit-ins and direct actions, with activists even accessing company premises to voice their opposition.
The campaign group No Azure for Apartheid has been orchestrating protests for over a year, with members claiming this latest action marks a pivotal success in their efforts to challenge Microsoft’s military contracts. Hossam Nasr, an organizer within the group, stated that the decision to block select technologies from being sold to the Israeli military was a noteworthy achievement in their campaign for justice in Palestine. However, he cautioned that their work is not done, as the majority of Microsoft’s agreements with Israeli military units remain intact. The group plans to continue advocating for broader changes until their complete demands are met.
