Maryam Shalaby, an Egyptian software engineer residing in Cairo, resigned from the American technology giant Microsoft, accusing the company of complicity in what she described as “Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip”, according to a website.
Maryam joined a large group of Microsoft employees who resigned in protest against the company’s relations with the Israeli government. Among the other employees who have resigned in recent months are Ibtihal Abu Saad, Fiana Ajrawal, and an employee known as “Joe”.
In an e -mail at the company level, it was sent on Monday 16 June, Shalaby announced her resignation, noting that she is no longer able to stay in a company that she considers enables the implementation of military operations responsible for widespread civil suffering.
Shalaby wrote: “Microsoft was a dream company for many, including me … When I joined it, I was excited about the opportunity to work in a company that embraces glossy minds and enhances established ethical standards,” Shalaby wrote.
She added that her fears increased after reviewing Microsoft contracts with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, especially the use of its cloud services Azur and artificial intelligence tools.
She referred to a United Nations report published in May 2025, which stated that more than 54,000 Palestinians, including more than 15,000 children, have been killed in Gaza since October 20, 2023. The report itself described the effect of the siege on humanitarian aid as a violation of international law.
Egyptian Microsoft worker, Maryam, resigns from #Microsoft in protest of its complicity in Israel’s genocide in Palestine! Read her company-wide email here! #IOFOffAzure #Notechforapartheid #NoAzureForApartheid 🧵(1/2) pic.twitter.com/q6NHAMRt7s
— No Azure for Apartheid (@NoAz4Apartheid) June 17, 2025
Instead of taking an initial position, Shalaby claimed that Microsoft “has strengthened violence” through its technological support.
He also criticized the internal culture of the company, accusing leadership of imposing censorship on employees ’contacts and taking revenge on the employees who raised moral objections. “They ignored the fears of employees and the media for months, and they are now trying to silence those who speak.”
Shalaby referred to a recent publication of Microsoft on its blog, in which the company confessed to providing “special access” to its technologies, claiming that it does not have a clear vision of how customers use it. The statement was described as a failed attempt to manage its public image.
In her message, Shalaby urged her employees to continue speaking internally or resign to protest. “The failure to work is no longer an option,” she wrote.
Her resignation publicly supported the campaign “No to Azor for Apartheid”, a campaign led by Microsoft employees to demand the end of the company with all its contracts with the Israeli army. The campaign said: “We support Mary. We repeat her call to demand answers and withdraw from all partnerships of the IDF. Silence is no longer an option.”
In May, Microsoft confirmed that the Israeli Ministry of Defense is using its cloud services and artificial intelligence services, but denied its involvement in attacks on civilians. She also admitted to providing limited emergency support to the Israeli government in the wake of the attack led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 7, which it said was aimed at helping to save the hostages.