Indian-American computer scientist Vaniya Agrawal called out the company's leadership publicly at Microsoft's 50th anniversary event at its Redmond, Washington headquarters for its purported link to the Israeli military. The event, which included current CEO Satya Nadella and former CEOs Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, was interrupted when Agrawal stood up and accused Microsoft of facilitating violence in Gaza.

Agrawal, who became a Software Engineer II in Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence department in 2023, accused the firm of helping Palestinians be killed with its technology.She asserted, "Fifty thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been killed with Microsoft technology. How dare you. Shame on all of you for joyously drinking in their blood. End your relationship with Israel."

This protest came on the heels of another incident at the event, in which another worker, Ibtihal Aboussad, disrupted a speech by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman condemning Microsoft's AI sales to the Israeli military. She asserted, "Fifty thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been killed with Microsoft technology. How dare you. Shame on all of you for joyously drinking in their blood. End your relationship with Israel."
This protest came on the heels of another incident at the event, in which another worker, Ibtihal Aboussad, disrupted a speech by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman condemning Microsoft's AI sales to the Israeli military.

In a follow-up company-wide email, Agrawal made public her resignation, indicating that April 11 would be her last day at work. She explained that she could no longer, in good conscience, be part of a company whose efforts she feels have facilitated genocide by Israel.

Agrawal referenced reports revealing Microsoft's purported role in facilitating Israel's military operations and spying powers
On her LinkedIn profile, Agrawal has indicated that she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering from Arizona State University in 2016-2019, graduating summa cum laude. Agrawal also received the Grace Hopper Scholarship by ASU.

Microsoft said that it is committed to letting employees freely express themselves without interrupting business. News accounts report, however, that both Agrawal and Aboussad were subsequently deprived of access to their work accounts, a sign of disciplinary action.
The events reflect increased internal discontent within Microsoft about the company's role in international armed conflicts, more particularly in Gaza, where huge casualties have been seen since October 2023.