Tensions boiled over at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters as police arrested 18 protesters on Wednesday during a second day of demonstrations demanding the tech giant cut ties with Israel’s military. The employee-led group, No Azure for Apartheid, accused Microsoft of enabling Palestinian surveillance through its Azure cloud platform, escalating protests with red paint splattered on the company’s iconic sign, symbolizing bloodshed.

Unlike Tuesday’s peaceful dispersal of 35 protesters, Wednesday’s group grew aggressive, blocking a pedestrian bridge and refusing to leave despite trespassing warnings. “They chose not to leave, so they were detained,” said police spokesperson Jill Green, noting charges including trespassing, malicious mischief, and resisting arrest. No injuries were reported, and it’s unclear how many detainees were Microsoft employees.

The protests follow a Guardian report alleging Israel’s Defense Forces used Azure to store phone data from mass surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank. A February Associated Press report revealed Microsoft’s deep ties with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, with military AI use surging 200-fold since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Azure reportedly aids in transcribing and processing surveillance data, integrated with Israel’s AI targeting systems.

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Microsoft insists its terms prohibit such usage and has hired Covington & Burling for an “urgent” review, promising to share findings. A prior review found no evidence of harm, but details were withheld. The No Azure for Apartheid group, unmoved, claims Microsoft’s technology is “used to surveil, starve, and kill Palestinians.” Protesters invoked a “worker intifada,” echoing Palestinian uprisings.

Microsoft’s response hasn’t quelled unrest—earlier, it fired an employee for disrupting CEO Satya Nadella’s speech and two others for protesting at the company’s 50th anniversary. The company vowed to uphold human rights standards while condemning unlawful actions. As the investigation unfolds, the protests highlight growing internal dissent over Microsoft’s role in the Gaza conflict.

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