The plaintiff, a former vice president of engineering using the pseudonym John Doe, claims that Intel terminated his employment on April 2 under the guise of a cost-cutting measure.

However, this occurred barely two months after he was assigned to report to Alaa Badr, vice president of customer success.

Doe, a former Israel Defense Forces soldier, expressed discomfort working under Badr, citing the Egyptian native’s retweeting and "liking" of anti-Israel online posts, including those celebrating the deaths of Israelis and IDF soldiers.

Doe alleged that Badr inquired about the number of Israeli employees at Intel and complained about their presence in the company.

Doe’s lawyer, Doug Wigdor, in a statement. "It is inexcusable that Intel not only condones this type of behaviour but retaliated against a former [IDF soldier] for complaining about deeply disturbing tropes that were posted on social media by his boss. This must stop."

Intel has declined to comment on the pending litigation, stating, "We have a longtime culture of diversity and inclusion, and we do not tolerate hate speech."

The plaintiff wants to recoup lost pay and unspecified damages for violations of federal civil rights law and New York state and city human rights laws. He has requested court permission to sue anonymously, citing concerns that the lawsuit and his IDF service could expose him to harassment, threats, and physical violence.

Doe joined Intel in New York City after the Santa Clara, California-based company acquired the Israeli startup where he previously worked. His lawyers have declined to identify the startup.

The complaint also highlights Intel’s business ties to Israel. The company’s first hire was Andrew Grove, a Hungarian-born Jew who later became chief executive and Time magazine’s Man of the Year.