Google dismisses 28 staff for opposing Israel cloud partnership

Google recently terminated over twenty employees who participated in protests against the company's cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.

These workers were let go following an investigation that revealed they had engaged in protests within Google's offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California. The group, No Tech For Apartheid, shared that in Sunnyvale, they had even entered the office of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian.

Protesters carried signs saying "No More Genocide For Profit" and "We Stand with Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Googlers."

According to a Google spokesperson speaking to CNN on Thursday, the demonstrations were organized by a group of individuals and organizations who are not primarily employed by the company.

A small group of employees protested at some of our locations, causing disruptions. This behavior, which included blocking other employees from working and accessing our facilities, goes against our policies and is not tolerated. After they ignored multiple requests to leave, law enforcement was called to ensure the safety of our offices.

We have already completed investigations on each individual involved, leading to the termination of 28 employees. Further investigations will be carried out, and necessary actions will be taken.

Google and Amazon have a $1.2 billion contract to provide cloud computing services to the Israeli government and military, known as Project Nimbus. According to No Tech For Apartheid, who strongly condemned the dismissals, this flagrant act of retaliation is a clear indication that Google values its $1.2 billion contract with the genocidal Israeli government and military more than its own workers.

Israel has denied accusations of committing genocide in Gaza, stating that it is defending itself in a conflict with Hamas. On October 7, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the capture of over 250 hostages.

This is an ongoing situation and further updates will be provided.

Olesya Dmitracova contributed reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The termination of Google employees for protesting the company's contract with the Israeli government raises serious concerns about corporate accountability and the suppression of dissent. The dismissal of 28 individuals for their involvement in peaceful demonstrations highlights a chilling effect on free speech within the tech industry. It is alarming that a company known for its progressive values would prioritize profits over the ethical concerns raised by its own employees.

The issue of Israel's human rights record and its treatment of Palestinians remains a complex and controversial one. Google's contract with the Israeli government and military has sparked outrage among employees who believe it contributes to the oppression of Palestinians. The company's decision to terminate employees who voiced their concerns suggests that it is not receptive to internal dissent and is willing to silence those who challenge its policies. This raises questions about the company's commitment to transparency, accountability, and the well-being of its employees.