Amazon has terminated a Palestinian software engineer, Ahmed Shahrour, after he publicly criticized the company’s business partnership with Israel. The decision follows a month-long suspension and has sparked widespread debate about corporate free speech, workplace ethics, and Big Tech’s involvement in global conflicts.
Amazon Employee Fired After Criticizing Israel Contract
According to a report by CNBC, Shahrour received his official termination notice on Monday, ending his tenure at Amazon’s Whole Foods division. The letter included details about his final paycheck and benefits. His dismissal came just as Hamas released seven Israeli hostages under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, while Israel prepared to free nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
The conflict between Shahrour and Amazon began in September, when he openly opposed Amazon’s $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government, known as Project Nimbus. This joint initiative with Google supplies Israel’s government and military with AI technologies, data storage, and cloud computing infrastructure.
Amazon Defends Its Decision
Amazon justified Shahrour’s firing by citing violations of company conduct policies and misuse of internal communication channels. The company claimed that Shahrour repeatedly posted non-work-related content about the Israel-Palestine conflict on its platforms.
An Amazon spokesperson stated, “Amazon does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or threatening behavior or language of any kind.” The company maintained that the disciplinary action was consistent with its internal communication and ethics guidelines.
Employees Accuse Amazon of Retaliation
However, Shahrour’s supporters and an employee coalition group claim that the firing was a retaliatory act meant to silence internal dissent, particularly Palestinian voices speaking against Amazon’s business dealings with Israel.
Shahrour himself called the termination “an attempt to suppress criticism” of Amazon’s controversial ties to the Israeli government and its military operations. Supporters argue that this case exposes how major corporations handle employee activism on political and human rights issues.
Big Tech Faces Growing Unrest Over Israel Contracts
Shahrour’s case reflects a broader trend in the tech industry. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have all faced internal pushback over their government and military contracts with Israel. Some employees have resigned or been terminated after protesting similar partnerships.
Despite the backlash, all three companies maintain that their collaborations with Israel are guided by strict ethical policies and primarily involve commercial technology applications, not direct military operations.
The Larger Debate
The incident has reignited discussions about corporate accountability, employee freedom of expression, and Big Tech’s role in global conflicts. As tensions continue in Gaza, critics say Amazon’s move sends a chilling message to employees who wish to speak out against controversial partnerships.
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