What is happening at Microsoft Israel? Shake-up deepens after review of Defense Ministry ties

The sudden departure last week of Microsoft Israel Country General Manager Alon Haimovich after four years in the role stems directly from the findings of a quiet review conducted by Microsoft’s global management into the work of its local branch with the Defense Ministry. The departure was so sudden that no replacement had even been chosen — clear evidence of the company leadership’s lack of confidence in the Israeli management. Haimovich was not the only one; several other executives were also forced to leave the company.

Company sources on Sunday rejected reports that the Israeli branch would now be temporarily managed by the French branch. High-tech industry sources said with concern that if such a move does happen, and a foreign manager is parachuted in to run Microsoft Israel, it would amount to a dramatic vote of no confidence and a severe…