Microsoft has "ceased and disabled" certain services for the Israel Ministry of Defense

Microsoft has halted and deactivated certain services used by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) amid an ongoing investigation.

The company’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith, communicated to employees that Microsoft evaluated a report from The Guardian, suggesting a division within the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) was leveraging Azure to store data and phone calls gathered through extensive surveillance of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Smith acknowledged Microsoft found evidence corroborating parts of the report, concerning the IMOD's use of Azure storage in the Netherlands and various AI services.

"As a result, we notified IMOD of our decision to terminate specified IMOD subscriptions and their related services, including specific cloud and AI technologies," Smith stated.

He further elaborated that Microsoft reviewed its decision with IMOD to ensure compliance with their terms of service, emphasizing a commitment to preventing its services from facilitating mass civilian surveillance.

Smith also stressed that this decision will not affect Microsoft's crucial cybersecurity projects in Israel and the Middle East, under frameworks like the Abraham Accords.

A pro-Palestine advocacy group, No Azure for Apartheid, regarded Microsoft's move as a "remarkable victory for their campaign and its efforts."

Hossam Nasr, an organizer, asserted via The Verge that Microsoft's decision marks the first instance of a US tech firm halting technology sales to the Israeli military since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.

Although the majority of Microsoft's contracts with the Israeli military remain unchanged, Nasr pledged to persist in advocacy until their objectives are met and Palestine is liberated.

Microsoft had previously announced an internal audit after an investigative report by the Associated Press suggested the firm’s AI products were potentially used by the IMOD in ways detrimental to civilians in Gaza.

While Microsoft confirmed it supplied software and services to IMOD, it found no evidence indicating its AI technology was employed to harm individuals in Gaza.

Microsoft reiterated its regular business relationship with the IMOD, governed by Microsoft’s service terms which include restrictions against using its technology to harm people or entities or engage in unlawful activities.

Additionally, 18 protesters from No Azure for Apartheid were apprehended outside Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, during ongoing protests. Activists claimed Microsoft and police authorities responded to their peaceful demonstrations with significant force, including arrests, chemical agents, and physical confrontations.

The police department acknowledged the arrests, alleging the group became resistant and aggressive, leading to charges like trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction.