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Recommended reading Gaming Industry 18 protesters arrested: Microsoft claims 'vandalism and property damage,' protesters claim 'genocide powered by Microsoft technology' Protesters return to Microsoft campus, resume demands for an end to dealings with Israeli military: 'Corporate abatement of genocide won't end by waiting complacently' Arkane employees demand Microsoft sever ties with Israeli military: 'We don’t want to be part of this sinister project for Gaza' Gaming Industry New report lays out Israeli military use of Microsoft services that prompted employee protests and a boycott of Xbox and Game Pass Gaming Industry Microsoft shareholders demand report into the company's 'human rights due diligence' over allegations of war crime complicity in Gaza Gaming Industry CWA union derides Microsoft layoffs when ‘the company is prospering’: 'We are living through a moment of profound corporate consolidation and disruption' Gaming Industry 'A future has been stolen from many of us and our community will never experience an amazing game': Microsoft MMO devs respond to cancelation of project Phil Spencer reportedly loved Protestors occupy Microsoft president's office as opposition to the company's dealings with the Israeli military continue to escalate Andy Chalk 26 August 2025 Microsoft's Building 34 was locked down following the occupation. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Getty Images) Less than a week after 18 protesters associated with activist group No Azure for Apartheid were arrested while protesting Microsoft's dealings with the Israeli military, the group has staged a sit-in inside the office of Microsoft president Brad Smith. A report by The Verge says the building was subsequently locked down. The protesters recorded at least two videos from inside Microsoft's Building 34, including one showing what appears to be security attempting to remove them, and posted them to Twitch, but they were quickly deleted. No Azure for Apartheid said protesters also deployed noisemakers attached to balloons prior to the sit-in, and posted notices reading, "The People's Court Summons Bradford Lee Smith on Charges of Crimes Against Humanity." Related Articles 18 protesters arrested: Microsoft claims 'vandalism and property damage,' protesters claim 'genocide powered by Microsoft technology' Protesters return to Microsoft campus, resume demands for an end to dealings with Israeli military: 'Corporate abatement of genocide won't end by waiting complacently' Arkane employees demand Microsoft sever ties with Israeli military: 'We don’t want to be part of this sinister project for Gaza' Two banners were also hung inside Building 34, one declaring it renamed to "Mai Ubeid Building" and another repeating No Azure for Apartheid's demands: Cut Ties with Israel Call for an End to the Genocide and Forced Starvation Pay Reparations to the Palestinians End the Discrimination Against Workers Current and former Microsoft workers are supporting the sit-in with a rally being held outside, during which copies of the document "We will not be cogs in the Israeli genocidal machine: a call for a Worker Intifada" were distributed. An 18-foot scroll displaying the signatures of more than 2,000 people who have signed No Azure for Apartheid's online petition was also displayed. The occupation of Smith's office represents a significant escalation over previous protests, which began earlier this year with individual employees disrupting Microsoft's 50th anniversary event and Build conference. Earlier this month, protesters set up an encampment in Microsoft's East Campus Plaza, which was dispersed by police; the group returned the following day, and police subsequently arrested 18 protesters. Microsoft has thus far refused to engage with the protesters but they seem to be having an impact, as pressure on the company to end its work with the Israeli government is growing. A group of Microsoft shareholders have demanded a report into the company's "human rights due diligence" over allegations of war crime complicity in Gaza and some employees of Microsoft-owned studio Arkane Lyon have also called on the company to stop supporting the Israeli government. The BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanctions) movement has called for a boycott of Microsoft's products due to its dealings with Israel. The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. A recent report by The Guardian has alleged that Israel is using Microsoft's cloud services for mass surveillance of Palestinians. Microsoft has said that it's "pursuing a thorough and independent review of new allegations first reported earlier this month about the purported use of its Azure platform in Israel." We've reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update if we receive a reply. Social Links Navigation US News Lead Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill. 18 protesters arrested: Microsoft claims 'vandalism and property damage,' protesters claim 'genocide powered by Microsoft technology' Protesters return to Microsoft campus, resume demands for an end to dealings with Israeli military: 'Corporate abatement of genocide won't end by waiting complacently' Arkane employees demand Microsoft sever ties with Israeli military: 'We don’t want to be part of this sinister project for Gaza' New report lays out Israeli military use of Microsoft services that prompted employee protests and a boycott of Xbox and Game Pass Microsoft shareholders demand report into the company's 'human rights due diligence' over allegations of war crime complicity in Gaza CWA union derides Microsoft layoffs when ‘the company is prospering’: 'We are living through a moment of profound corporate consolidation and disruption' Latest in Games Chris Roberts hopes Star Citizen's launch will be 'almost as big an event' as Grand Theft Auto 6, still targeting 2026 for its Squadron 42 singleplayer campaign EA's Skate reboot will finally launch into early access in September You can accidentally doom your Elden Ring Nightreign team by attacking its newest enhanced boss at the wrong time Elden Ring movie director spun up a 160-page script to convince Miyazaki he should be the one to make it It's kind of weird that Helldivers 2 isn't in Steam's big third-person shooter sale, but there are plenty of other great deals so I don't really miss it Activision finally acknowledges Call of Duty skins problem, decides cosmetics won't carry forward in Black Ops 7: 'Some of you have said we’ve drifted from what made Call of Duty unique in the first place. 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