“Our Code Kills Palestinians” as Big Tech Contracts Fuel Gaza War Concerns
Muslim Tech Workers Challenge Big Tech Gaza Contracts
Muslim employees at some of the world’s largest technology companies—Google, Amazon, and Microsoft—are grappling with profound ethical and spiritual dilemmas as they confront their employers’ contracts with the Israeli military, which protesters say contribute to human rights abuses against Palestinians in Gaza. In recent months, these workers have organized protests, issued internal petitions, and in some cases, resigned or been fired after speaking out against their companies’ role in the ongoing conflict. The movement, led by figures such as former Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad, is challenging the tech industry’s moral responsibility at a time when the war in Gaza has intensified global scrutiny of corporate involvement in state violence.
The protests have highlighted a growing internal divide within Big Tech workforces, as Muslim employees struggle to reconcile their faith and conscience with their professional duties. For many, the issue is not just political but deeply spiritual, raising questions about the permissibility of earning a livelihood from companies implicated in military actions that harm civilians. The controversy has sparked solidarity among Muslim tech workers across regions, with some turning to religious scholars and community leaders for guidance on navigating these complex ethical questions.
A Crisis of Conscience: Muslim Tech Workers Speak Out
Ibtihal Aboussad, a former Microsoft employee, became a prominent voice in the movement after she was fired for protesting the company’s involvement with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Before her dismissal, Aboussad sent two internal emails—one to all Microsoft employees urging them to oppose military contracts, and another to the “Muslims at Microsoft” group with the subject line: “Muslims of Microsoft, Our Code Kills Palestinians”.
“I wanted to say, ‘Hey, remember, your rizq [livelihood] is from Allah,’” Aboussad told The Guardian. “It should be clean, and you cannot be contributing to oppression”. Her message resonated with many Muslim colleagues, some of whom have also resigned or been terminated, while others remain torn between their spiritual convictions and financial needs.
“Honestly, I’ve been praying about what Allah wants me to do,” said one Microsoft employee. “But if we leave, then there could be a pro-Israeli person who takes our spot”.
Another Google employee described the anguish of staying in a company whose technology, they believe, is actively harming people: “I’m just trying to go back to neutral. Every day my work is actively harming people”.
Solidarity and Action
The protests led by Aboussad and her colleagues have inspired solidarity across regions. In Cairo, about 100 Microsoft employees reportedly took a day off in silent protest. One woman who resigned that day said, “I don’t think I belong here, and me staying here is just supporting what they’re doing”.
Similar actions have unfolded at Google and Amazon, particularly around Project Nimbus—a multi-billion-dollar cloud contract with the Israeli government that has faced intense scrutiny and opposition from employees and activists. Google has fired dozens of employees for protesting the contract, including a high-profile sit-in at the company’s New York and Sunnyvale offices in April 2024.
Hasan Ibraheem, a former Google worker fired for protesting, explained the moral urgency driving the movement: “If you do not organize, you must leave. And even if you organize, your goal should be to leave. Organizing eventually does not absolve you of complicity indefinitely”.
Project Nimbus and the Military Connection
Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion contract initially reported as a civilian cloud infrastructure deal, has become a flashpoint for employee activism. Investigations by WIRED and other outlets have revealed a much closer link between the project and the Israeli military than previously acknowledged. Israeli officials have confirmed that the IDF is a key user of cloud services provided by Google and Amazon, and that these services support military operations.
Despite Google’s public statements that Project Nimbus is not intended for sensitive military work, evidence suggests otherwise. Internal documents and statements from Israeli officials indicate that the IDF’s involvement is integral to the project’s design and implementation. Critics argue that this makes Google and Amazon complicit in Israeli military actions that have resulted in significant civilian casualties in Gaza and the West Bank.
Company Responses and Ongoing Controversy
Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have all defended their contracts, insisting that their technologies are not used to target or harm civilians. Microsoft stated that internal and external reviews “found no evidence to date that Microsoft’s Azure and AI technologies have been used to target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza”. Google has similarly maintained that Project Nimbus is not directed at highly sensitive or classified military workloads, though it acknowledges that the Israeli military has access to its technology.
However, leaked documents, investigative reports, and statements from Israeli officials have cast doubt on these assurances. Protesters argue that the companies’ denials are at odds with the realities of how their technology is being deployed in conflict zones.
Spiritual Guidance and Community Support
As the controversy deepens, many Muslim tech workers have turned to religious scholars and community leaders for guidance. Imam Omar Suleiman of the Yaqeen Institute is working to develop a spiritual framework to help Muslims assess the permissibility of working in roles connected to state violence or oppression.
“There’s room for the person who holds back the hand of the pharaoh from inside the pharaoh’s court,” Suleiman said. “But they have to demonstrate how exactly they’re minimizing that harm”. This nuanced approach acknowledges the complexity of the situation, enabling individuals to discern and collectively take action.
In a public conversation with Aboussad, Suleiman emphasized the importance of spiritual preparation and community support for those facing these dilemmas: “You are not alone. If you’re feeling conflicted, if you’re feeling like there’s no way you can stay at that company or you don’t know what to do, you are not the only person in that position”.
The Broader Impact
The protests at Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are part of a broader wave of employee activism in the tech industry. In recent years, workers at these companies have organized around issues ranging from climate change and diversity to ethical AI and military contracts. The current movement, however, is distinguished by its focus on the intersection of faith, ethics, and corporate responsibility.
The activism has also highlighted the challenges faced by Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab employees who speak out. Many have reported facing harassment and retaliation for their advocacy efforts, both within and outside the workplace. Despite these risks, the movement continues to grow, with protesters vowing to “make as much noise as possible” to ensure their concerns cannot be ignored.
Public and International Reactions
The protests have attracted attention from international human rights organizations, media outlets, and the broader public. United Nations panels and the International Court of Justice have raised concerns about possible violations of international law in Gaza, further intensifying the scrutiny of tech companies’ military contracts. Israel rejects these allegations, asserting that its actions are in self-defence against Hamas.
The controversy has also sparked debate within the tech industry about the ethical responsibilities of companies that provide technology used in conflict zones. Critics argue that the lack of transparency and accountability in these contracts undermines the industry’s stated commitments to ethical principles and human rights.
The Future of Ethical Tech
As the movement continues, its leaders are calling for greater transparency, accountability, and ethical oversight in the tech industry. They are also urging the Muslim community and allies to support those who lose their jobs or face retaliation for speaking out.
“We have to cover our own,” Aboussad said, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity for those affected by the controversy. The movement’s leaders are also working with non-Muslim allies and people of conscience to pressure tech companies to change their practices and uphold higher ethical standards.
The ongoing protests and debates signal a turning point for the tech industry, as employees demand that their companies live up to their stated values and take responsibility for the real-world consequences of their technologies. The outcome of this movement could have far-reaching implications for corporate accountability, ethical tech, and the role of faith in the workplace.
A Defining Moment for Big Tech and Muslim Employees
The protests by Muslim tech workers at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft represent a defining moment for the industry and for the broader Muslim community in North America and beyond. The movement has brought to light the profound ethical and spiritual dilemmas faced by employees whose work is implicated in military actions that cause harm to civilians.
The controversy has also highlighted the power of employee activism and the importance of solidarity, both within the Muslim community and among allies. As the movement continues to grow, it is challenging tech companies to rethink their contracts, policies, and ethical commitments in the face of global conflict and human rights concerns.
Ultimately, the protests serve as a call to action for the tech industry to prioritize ethics, transparency, and accountability, and for individuals to reflect on the moral implications of their work in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.