Overview

• President Brad Smith said Microsoft has ceased and disabled specified Israel Ministry of Defense subscriptions, including certain cloud storage and AI services.
• The company found evidence supporting elements of investigative reports, citing IMOD consumption of Azure capacity in the Netherlands and use of AI tools, while not accessing customer content in its review.
• Microsoft did not name the unit affected and emphasized that other contracts, notably cybersecurity services, continue as the review proceeds.
• Reports say Israeli operators moved data off Azure and are planning a shift to Amazon Web Services, a claim not confirmed by AWS or Israeli officials.
• The move follows sustained scrutiny from reporting by The Guardian and the Associated Press and pressure from employee protests that led to multiple terminations.