{"id":1931350,"date":"2026-05-12T15:59:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931350"},"modified":"2026-05-12T15:59:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:59:03","slug":"amidst-xbox-boycotts-and-media-pressure-microsoft-reportedly-restructures-israeli-office-after-internal-investigation-into-ethical-violations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931350","title":{"rendered":"Amidst Xbox boycotts and media pressure, Microsoft reportedly restructures Israeli office after internal investigation into ethical violations"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article \" data-ads=\"true\" data-article-type=\"news\" data-article-group=\"news\" data-paywalled=\"false\" data-premium=\"false\" data-sponsored=\"false\" data-type=\"article\">\n<header class=\"article_header\" data-component=\"article-header\">\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n<nav class=\"nav_breadcrumbs\" data-component=\"nav-breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n<ul class=\"nav-links\">\n<li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/\" data-active=\"false\"><br \/>\n                      Home<br \/>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/news\" data-active=\"false\"><br \/>\n                      News<br \/>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n<div class=\"headline_details\" id=\"main-content\">\n<h1 class=\"title\">Amidst Xbox boycotts and media pressure, Microsoft reportedly restructures Israeli office after internal investigation into ethical violations<\/h1>\n<p class=\"strapline\">But will it sever ties completely?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"headline_asset\">\n<figure class=\"headline_image_wrapper\">\n<p>        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"headline_image\" src=\"https:\/\/assetsio.gnwcdn.com\/xbox-logo_yqqi6oN.jpg?width=570&amp;quality=85&amp;format=jpg&amp;dpr=3&amp;auto=webp\" alt='A classic Xbox logo. White circle with a green cross made with negative space across it, bleeding into a green background behind. \"Xbox\" is written in white below.' loading=\"eager\" data-uri=\"xbox-logo_yqqi6oN.jpg\" data-lightbox width=\"570\" height=\"321\"><figcaption>\n          <span class=\"attribution\">Image credit: <cite>Microsoft<\/cite><\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metadata\">\n<div class=\"avatar\">\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Robert Purchese avatar\" src=\"https:\/\/assetsio.gnwcdn.com\/user-9946-originalxoriginal-14-03-23.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=2048&amp;fit=bounds&amp;quality=85&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1017\"><\/p>\n<p>  <img alt=\"Robert Purchese avatar\" data-autosize=\"crop_lossy\" data-uri=\"user-9946-originalxoriginal-14-03-23.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1017\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n                  <span class=\"article_type\" data-slug=\"news\"><br \/>\n                    News<br \/>\n                  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"by\">by<\/span> <span class=\"author\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/authors\/robert-purchese\">Robert Purchese<\/a><\/span>                    <span class=\"job_title\"><br \/>\n                      Associate Editor<br \/>\n                    <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n<div class=\"published_at\">\nPublished on <time datetime=\"2026-05-12T15:59:03+00:00\">May 12, 2026<\/time>              <\/div>\n<div class=\"comments\">\n      <a class=\"comments__link comments-bubble\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/microsoft-israel-xbox-boycotts-restructuring?view=comments\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n          3 comments<br \/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article_body\" data-component=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article_body_content article-styling\">\n<p>Microsoft&#8217;s investigation into the ethical conduct of its Israeli office, and its work with the Israeli Ministry of Defense &#8211; particularly in relation to storing user data on Microsoft&#8217;s servers &#8211; has resulted in the departure of the general manager there and several other managers. This is according to news publication <a href=\"https:\/\/en.globes.co.il\/en\/article-microsoft-israel-chief-leaves-amid-ethical-controversy-1001542602\">Globes<\/a>, which also heard that for the time being, Microsoft&#8217;s rudderless Israeli office will be led by Microsoft France.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft&#8217;s investigation is a result of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/jan\/23\/israeli-military-gaza-war-microsoft\">report aired on The Guardian last year about the use of Microsoft&#8217;s cloud technology and artificial intelligence services by the Israeli military<\/a> during the most intensive bombardments of Gaza. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ybj10537yi4\">People Make Games also published a detailed video<\/a> on the issue later that year, reporting from a Microsoft data center in Holland alleged to have been storing Ministry of Defence-intercepted audio recordings, and many other forms of data, from millions of Palestinian people.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a situation that&#8217;s given rise to <a href=\"https:\/\/bdsmovement.net\/news\/boycott-microsofts-xbox\">calls to boycott Microsoft<\/a> &#8211; and in particular subsidiaries like Xbox &#8211; until the matter is resolved or at least addressed. Earlier this year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/speculative-agency-returns-microsoft-xbox-funding-boycott\">an indie studio returned Microsoft game-funding money because of the company&#8217;s involvement with Israel<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/indie-developer-pulls-game-from-xbox-in-support-of-pro-palestine-boycott\">other studios have removed their games from sale on Microsoft platforms<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<p>Globes reports that Microsoft decided to &#8220;unilaterally terminate&#8221; its usage agreement with IDF intelligence Unit 8020 in September last year because of the surfacing reports, and the subsequent protests that erupted because of them.<\/p>\n<p>At the time, Microsoft president Brad Smith wrote (as per Globes&#8217; report): &#8220;Microsoft is not a government or a state &#8211; we are a private company &#8211; and like any company we decide what products and services to offer our customers.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"injection_placeholder\" data-position=\"1\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We decided to investigate the Guardian&#8217;s claims about the IDF&#8217;s use of Azure to store recordings of phone calls obtained through extensive and mass surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank, based on two principles: protecting privacy and preventing mass surveillance of citizens. We have applied this principle in every country in the world and have insisted on it repeatedly for more than two decades.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"video_wrapper youtube\">\n<a aria-label=\"Why We're Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too)\" class=\"video-facade full-size\" data-platform=\"youtube\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ybj10537yi4?autoplay=1\" title=\"Click to play video from YouTube\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cover image for YouTube video\" class=\"video-facade__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Ybj10537yi4\/hqdefault.jpg\"><span class=\"video-facade__title\">Why We&#8217;re Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption>People Make Games produced a detailed report into the stituation.<a class=\"video\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ybj10537yi4\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But pressure on the company has continued to mount. The result is this latest development: a team sent from Microsoft headquarters to Israel several weeks ago to investigate.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft is said to have been particularly concerned that Israel&#8217;s Ministry of Defense was using its services in non-transparent ways that violated its terms of use. Alon Haimovich, the then-general manager of Microsoft Israel, was brought in to answer for this. The result? Haimovich left the company after four years last week.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"injection_placeholder\" data-position=\"2\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Globes report goes on to point out that Microsoft and Israel&#8217;s Ministry of Defense are due to renew their contract at the end of the year, and that apparently both parties are interested in continuing it &#8220;albeit on a smaller scale&#8221;. Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Defense is apparently eyeing Amazon&#8217;s and Google&#8217;s cloud storage as an alternative.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Microsoft is trying to relaunch its Xbox brand, appointing an unexpected new leader in Asha Sharma, who&#8217;ll take center stage during the annual summer game festivities next month as she tries to convince the world that Xbox, as a console, is a contender again. Neither Sharma nor the gaming segment&#8217;s previous leadership have commented on calls for people to boycott Xbox because of Microsoft&#8217;s ties to Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft declined to comment on Globes&#8217; report, but we are separately seeking comment from the company.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\" data-component=\"preferred-source\">\nLove Eurogamer.net? Make us a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\">Preferred Source on Google<\/a> and catch more of our coverage in your feeds.  <\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"article_body\" data-component=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article_body_content article-styling\">\n<p>Microsoft&#8217;s investigation into the ethical conduct of its Israeli office, and its work with the Israeli Ministry of Defense &#8211; particularly in relation to storing user data on Microsoft&#8217;s servers &#8211; has resulted in the departure of the general manager there and several other managers. This is according to news publication <a href=\"https:\/\/en.globes.co.il\/en\/article-microsoft-israel-chief-leaves-amid-ethical-controversy-1001542602\">Globes<\/a>, which also heard that for the time being, Microsoft&#8217;s rudderless Israeli office will be led by Microsoft France.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft&#8217;s investigation is a result of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/jan\/23\/israeli-military-gaza-war-microsoft\">report aired on The Guardian last year about the use of Microsoft&#8217;s cloud technology and artificial intelligence services by the Israeli military<\/a> during the most intensive bombardments of Gaza. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ybj10537yi4\">People Make Games also published a detailed video<\/a> on the issue later that year, reporting from a Microsoft data center in Holland alleged to have been storing Ministry of Defence-intercepted audio recordings, and many other forms of data, from millions of Palestinian people.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a situation that&#8217;s given rise to <a href=\"https:\/\/bdsmovement.net\/news\/boycott-microsofts-xbox\">calls to boycott Microsoft<\/a> &#8211; and in particular subsidiaries like Xbox &#8211; until the matter is resolved or at least addressed. Earlier this year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/speculative-agency-returns-microsoft-xbox-funding-boycott\">an indie studio returned Microsoft game-funding money because of the company&#8217;s involvement with Israel<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/indie-developer-pulls-game-from-xbox-in-support-of-pro-palestine-boycott\">other studios have removed their games from sale on Microsoft platforms<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<p>Globes reports that Microsoft decided to &#8220;unilaterally terminate&#8221; its usage agreement with IDF intelligence Unit 8020 in September last year because of the surfacing reports, and the subsequent protests that erupted because of them.<\/p>\n<p>At the time, Microsoft president Brad Smith wrote (as per Globes&#8217; report): &#8220;Microsoft is not a government or a state &#8211; we are a private company &#8211; and like any company we decide what products and services to offer our customers.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"injection_placeholder\" data-position=\"1\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We decided to investigate the Guardian&#8217;s claims about the IDF&#8217;s use of Azure to store recordings of phone calls obtained through extensive and mass surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank, based on two principles: protecting privacy and preventing mass surveillance of citizens. We have applied this principle in every country in the world and have insisted on it repeatedly for more than two decades.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"video_wrapper youtube\">\n<a aria-label=\"Why We're Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too)\" class=\"video-facade full-size\" data-platform=\"youtube\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ybj10537yi4?autoplay=1\" title=\"Click to play video from YouTube\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cover image for YouTube video\" class=\"video-facade__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Ybj10537yi4\/hqdefault.jpg\"><span class=\"video-facade__title\">Why We&#8217;re Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption>People Make Games produced a detailed report into the stituation.<a class=\"video\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ybj10537yi4\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But pressure on the company has continued to mount. The result is this latest development: a team sent from Microsoft headquarters to Israel several weeks ago to investigate.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft is said to have been particularly concerned that Israel&#8217;s Ministry of Defense was using its services in non-transparent ways that violated its terms of use. Alon Haimovich, the then-general manager of Microsoft Israel, was brought in to answer for this. The result? Haimovich left the company after four years last week.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"injection_placeholder\" data-position=\"2\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Globes report goes on to point out that Microsoft and Israel&#8217;s Ministry of Defense are due to renew their contract at the end of the year, and that apparently both parties are interested in continuing it &#8220;albeit on a smaller scale&#8221;. Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Defense is apparently eyeing Amazon&#8217;s and Google&#8217;s cloud storage as an alternative.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Microsoft is trying to relaunch its Xbox brand, appointing an unexpected new leader in Asha Sharma, who&#8217;ll take center stage during the annual summer game festivities next month as she tries to convince the world that Xbox, as a console, is a contender again. Neither Sharma nor the gaming segment&#8217;s previous leadership have commented on calls for people to boycott Xbox because of Microsoft&#8217;s ties to Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft declined to comment on Globes&#8217; report, but we are separately seeking comment from the company.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home News Amidst Xbox boycotts and media pressure, Microsoft reportedly restructures Israeli office after internal investigation into ethical violations But will it sever ties completely? Image credit: Microsoft News by Robert Purchese Associate Editor Published on May 12, 2026 3 comments Microsoft&#8217;s investigation into the ethical conduct of its Israeli office, and its work with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,253],"class_list":["post-1931350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-eurogamer-net"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1931350"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931350\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1931350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1931350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1931350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}