Amazon Fires Palestinian Engineer Over Israel Protest

In a decision that has sparked controversy, Amazon.com Inc. has fired Ahmed Shahrour, a 29-year-old Palestinian engineer, after he openly protested the company’s connections with the Israeli government. Shahrour, who worked at Amazon’s Whole Foods Market unit, was suspended last month before his termination, following a series of corporate Slack posts and on-campus demonstrations in Seattle.

Shahrour’s messages criticized Amazon’s role in providing cloud-computing services to Israeli government and military entities under a contract known as Project Nimbus. “Amazon is not a neutral observer. We are active participants,” he reportedly told colleagues. In addition to online protests, he distributed fliers at the company’s headquarters, escalating tensions with management.

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Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser emphasized the company’s stance on workplace conduct, stating, “We don’t tolerate discrimination, harassment, or threatening behavior or language of any kind in our workplace, and when any conduct of that nature is reported, we investigate it and take appropriate action based on our findings.”

This incident adds to a growing pattern of tech employees challenging major corporations over their business dealings in conflict zones. Shahrour had previously participated in protests against Microsoft, including a notable occupation of Microsoft President Brad Smith’s office in August, which led to his temporary arrest alongside other demonstrators. Following media attention, Microsoft restricted some software usage by an Israeli military unit.

Amazon and other tech giants like Google have faced mounting scrutiny from employees and advocacy groups for their involvement in Project Nimbus, raising complex questions about corporate responsibility, employee activism, and international ethics.

While the company maintains that its actions are strictly policy-driven, Shahrour’s termination has reignited debates on how tech employees can voice ethical concerns without facing punitive measures, reflecting the delicate balance between corporate governance and social responsibility.