Google Fires 28 Workers for Protesting $1.2B Israel Contract
Google Fires 28 Workers for Protesting $1.2B Israel Contract
The Facts
Google has fired 28 employees who participated in protests against the company's $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government and military to provide cloud and AI services.
Google has fired 28 employees who participated in protests against the company's $1.2B contract with the Israeli government and military to provide cloud and AI services. Amazon is also a joint recipient of the contract.
The Spin
While Google is aware that Tuesday's protests were the work of a small group of people who do not represent the majority of the company's employees, it's important to note that disruptive behavior has no place in the workplace. Unprofessionalism will not be tolerated, and Google is well within its rights to act against disorderly conduct, up to and including termination.
These firings were illegal and retaliatory, given that the protests were peaceful. Google shouldn't be involved in any military contracts, and Project Nimbus and its association with the catastrophe taking place in Gaza are disturbing. The company clearly cares more about profit than it does about the well-being of its employees or taking an ethical stance on the role of AI in conflict and human rights.
