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Tech CEOs Show Support for Israel Amid Conflict
Following the October 7 attacks on Israel, tech executives from companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM quickly expressed their support for Israel. Google CEO Sundar Pichai extended sympathy to Israelis on social media, while conspicuously omitting any mention of Palestinian suffering. This pattern of selective sympathy was echoed by other tech leaders.
Devastating Impact on Palestinians
Since the attacks, the Israeli military, aided by advanced AI technology, has caused widespread devastation in Palestine. The military operations have resulted in nearly 35,000 Palestinian deaths, including over 14,500 children. Infrastructure, including homes, schools, universities, healthcare facilities, mosques, and heritage sites, has been severely damaged or destroyed.
The Role of AI in Military Operations
Israel’s military uses AI programs to identify and target locations with minimal human intervention. While the full extent of direct involvement by foreign tech giants remains unclear, it is evident that these companies supply essential infrastructure, such as advanced computer chips, software, and cloud services, which enable these AI operations.
Project Nimbus: A Controversial Contract
In March 2021, Google and Amazon signed a $1.2 billion contract to provide cloud computing services to the Israeli government and defense establishment. Known as Project Nimbus, this deal equips Israel with the capacity to store, process, and analyze vast amounts of data, including facial and emotion recognition, biometrics, and demographic information.
Despite considerable internal protests and public campaigns, such as “No Tech for Apartheid,” both companies have upheld their commitment to Project Nimbus. Concerns have been raised about the potential use of these cloud services in AI-driven military operations, such as Israel’s bombardment of Gaza using systems like “Lavender” and “The Gospel.”
Silicon Valley’s Deep Ties with Israel
US tech companies have long supported Israel’s technological and economic advancement. Intel, Microsoft, and Nvidia have substantial investments and operations in Israel. Intel, the largest private employer in the country, announced a $25 billion investment in a new chip plant. Microsoft launched a new Azure cloud region, and Nvidia expanded its R&D operations in Israel. These investments bolster Israel’s high-tech economy and military capabilities.
Censorship on Social Media Platforms
Social media companies have also played a role in shaping the narrative around the conflict. In 2022, a report commissioned by Meta revealed a bias against Palestinian content on Facebook and Instagram. Human Rights Watch reported that Meta continues to suppress pro-Palestinian content. Other platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok, have also faced accusations of censoring pro-Palestinian voices.
The Broader Picture of Digital Colonialism
US-based Big Tech companies are seen as modern-day extensions of American imperial power, engaging in what can be termed digital colonialism. Their deep ties with Israel not only bring lucrative profits but also serve broader geopolitical interests. This relationship helps maintain the global divide between the North and the South, with the US profiting from digital infrastructure and knowledge ownership while extracting resources from the Global South.
Source: aljazeera
