Amazon terminated a software engineer for posting non-work-related comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict, citing policy violations.
Employee fired for conduct violations
Suspended after criticizing Amazon's Israeli contracts
Company claims dismissal was not political
Employee describes firing as retaliatory
Similar actions seen in tech industry
Amazon maintains professional workplace standards
Amazon has dismissed software engineer Ahmed Shahrour from its Whole Foods technology team in Seattle after an internal review found he violated the company’s conduct and communication policies by using corporate channels to post non-work-related content about the Israel–Palestine conflict.[1][2]
Dismissal Details
Shahrour was notified via email on October 13 that he was fired for misusing Amazon resources. He posted over 50 messages on internal Slack channels and distributed flyers at the downtown Seattle campus criticizing Amazon’s $1.2 billion Project Nimbus contract with the Israeli government and military. Amazon determined these actions breached its acceptable use policy governing company communications and resource use.[3][4][2][5][1]
Company Statement
Spokesperson Brad Glasser said the dismissal was based solely on policy violations. He emphasized, “We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or threatening behavior of any kind in the workplace” and noted that rules apply uniformly, regardless of topic.[4][2]
Engineer’s Account
Suspended with pay in September, Shahrour had labeled Project Nimbus “complicity in genocide” and called for an “Amazon Worker Intifada” in an open letter to executives. He and colleagues advocating for Palestinian rights argue that his firing suppresses internal dissent and shields Amazon’s Israel business from scrutiny.[6][2][7]
Industry Comparisons
Company
Action Taken
Reason
Source
Microsoft
Fired two employees in April 2025
On-site protest at 50th anniversary event
[13]
Google
Terminated 28 employees in 2024 and early 2025
Trespassing at cloud division facilities
[19]
Microsoft
Fired four workers in August 2025
Occupied president’s office protests
About Project Nimbus
Project Nimbus is a 2021 contract worth $1.2 billion to provide cloud computing, AI tools, and infrastructure to Israeli government agencies, including defense entities. Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform each maintain separate agreements under terms forbidding service suspension due to boycott pressure.[1][6]
Key Facts
Contract announced April 2021 by Israeli Finance Ministry.[1]
Includes AI capabilities such as facial detection and sentiment analysis.[6][1]
Protests began after October 7, 2023, Gaza conflict escalation, intensifying employee dissent.[8][6]
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