Google has terminated 28 employees who participated in a 10-hour sit-in at the company’s offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California. The protest was against the company’s business dealings with the Israeli government, according to an American newspaper citing a company memo.
The demonstrators demanded that the company terminate its $1.2 billion Nimbus project contract, under which Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the Israeli government and military.
A few of the protesting employees entered the office and interfered with the work of other employees. A Google spokesperson, responding to the firings, stated that the protesters’ behavior was “completely unacceptable” and that interfering with other employees’ work constituted a “violation of company policy.”
Previously, The New York Times reported, citing sources, that Israel had implemented a pilot facial recognition system in Gaza for mass surveillance of Palestinians. An Israeli intelligence representative told the newspaper that the facial recognition system utilized technologies from the Israeli company Corsight and Google Photos.
The situation in Gaza since the war began on October 7 remains dire, with ongoing military operations and a significant humanitarian crisis. As of mid-April 2024, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 34,000 with substantial casualties among children and women. The conflict has also resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure in Gaza, with over half of the homes and most of the schools and commercial facilities damaged or destroyed. Hospitals and water sources have also been severely affected, complicating relief efforts.
In Israel, the updated death toll from the Hamas-led attacks since October 7 is reported at 1,139, with thousands more injured. The Israeli military has continued its operations in Gaza, focusing on dismantling Hamas’ capabilities, including a vast network of underground tunnels used for military purposes.
This prolonged conflict has not only devastated Gaza but also affected regional stability, drawing international concern and calls for a cessation of hostilities. The international community, including the United Nations, has been involved in various efforts to address the immediate humanitarian needs and mediate for peace.
