Ibtihal Aboussad / Image Source Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Moroccan Engineer Ibtihal Aboussad Sparks Global Debate After Protest Against Microsoft’s Role in Gaza Conflict

On April 4, 2025, during what was meant to be a celebratory event for Microsoft’s 50th anniversary in Redmond, Washington, Moroccan software engineer and Harvard graduate Ibtihal Aboussad took a bold stand that has since captured global attention. Her public protest during a keynote address sparked an international conversation on the ethical responsibilities of tech companies and their ties to military operations, specifically in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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The Protest That Shook Microsoft

As Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, was presenting on the future of AI through the company’s Copilot assistant, Aboussad disrupted the event by storming the stage and shouting: “Mustafa, shame on you! You claim to care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty thousand people have died, and Microsoft powers this genocide.” She then threw a keffiyeh scarf—a symbol of Palestinian resistance—onto the stage before being swiftly escorted out.

The moment, captured on video and widely shared across social media, immediately went viral. Supporters praised Aboussad’s courage for confronting the leadership of one of the world’s most powerful companies, while others debated the appropriateness and impact of her method.

A Moral Stand: Her Open Letter to Microsoft Executives

Following the protest, Aboussad sent an email to senior Microsoft leadership, including CEO Satya Nadella and Mustafa Suleyman, explaining her actions. “I spoke up today because after learning that my org was powering the genocide of my people in Palestine, I saw no other moral choice. I did not sign up to write code that violates human rights,” she wrote.

She also condemned what she described as a culture of silence at Microsoft, especially toward Arab, Muslim, and pro-Palestinian employees. She cited prior instances of suppression and retaliation against staff who raised ethical concerns about the company’s defence-related contracts.

Termination and Fallout

Just three days later, on April 7, 2025, Microsoft officially terminated Aboussad’s employment, citing “willful misconduct” and “intentional disruption.” The company accused her of seeking notoriety and causing a planned disturbance at a high-profile event. Her internal accounts were deactivated immediately following the protest, signalling her dismissal even before the formal announcement.

Microsoft maintained that it provides structured channels for employees to raise ethical concerns, and that Aboussad’s actions breached workplace protocols and disrupted operations.

LinkedIn Suspension and Global Backlash

Soon after her dismissal, Aboussad’s LinkedIn profile was also suspended, prompting accusations of coordinated silencing. A wave of public support followed, with the hashtag #ReinstateIbtihal trending on X (formerly Twitter). A Change.org petition demanding the reinstatement of her LinkedIn account gathered thousands of signatures, with supporters arguing that tech workers should not be punished for speaking out against human rights abuses.

A Boycott and a Call for Tech Accountability

On April 9, Aboussad released a video via Instagram calling for a global boycott of Microsoft products, including Xbox, Microsoft 365, Copilot, and even mobile games like Candy Crush. “We will not financially support this company until it adopts humane principles,” she declared in the video, which gained over 240,000 likes.

She also encouraged other tech workers to speak out, despite the personal and professional risks. Her call has echoed across activist circles, drawing comparisons to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Support and Job Offers

In a show of solidarity, Kuwaiti businessman Abdallah al-Dabbous offered Aboussad a job at his fintech company, MyFatoorah. “We stand with those who defend justice,” he said. Public figures, human rights organisations, and fellow engineers voiced support, framing her protest as a turning point in conversations about ethics in artificial intelligence.

Background: Who is Ibtihal Aboussad?

Aboussad is a Harvard-educated engineer specialising in programming languages such as Python, C, HTML, and CSS. Before her protest, she spent three and a half years at Microsoft’s AI division in Toronto. Her Devpost portfolio and past participation in international tech programmes like TechGirls illustrate a long-standing commitment to technology and innovation.

Her early recognition came in 2016 when she was featured in a YouTube video during International Education Week. In it, she shared her aspirations as a young Moroccan girl eager to impact the tech world.

Industry and Public Response

While many applauded her bravery, some critics questioned the effectiveness of such protests. Concerns were also raised about setting a precedent for disruptive behaviour at corporate events. However, others argue that Aboussad’s protest was not merely disruptive—it was principled and necessary to expose corporate complicity in global violence.

Online sentiments continue to vary. Some praised her as a “tech whistleblower with integrity,” while others debated whether Microsoft’s military contracts are justifiable under international norms.

Broader Implications

Aboussad’s protest is part of a growing wave of tech worker activism aimed at holding companies accountable for how their technologies are used. Her actions raise larger questions about the ethical boundaries of artificial intelligence, corporate influence in geopolitical conflicts, and the rights of employees to dissent.

This event also follows reports by major outlets like the Associated Press indicating that Microsoft and OpenAI’s technologies have been used by the Israeli military in targeting operations in Gaza and Lebanon, intensifying the scrutiny.

Looking Ahead

As of April 20, 2025, Aboussad has not announced any new job commitments beyond the offers she’s received. Her boycott campaign continues to gain momentum online, and she remains a central figure in the tech ethics debate.

Whether her protest marks the beginning of a broader movement or remains a singular act of courage, Ibtihal Aboussad has undeniably altered the discourse around ethics in technology and the power of individual action inside corporate walls.