Andrew Feinstein, an arms trade expert and author, joins Mona Shtaya, a Palestinian digital rights activist, to discuss the commercialization of surveillance technology in Israel. They reveal how Israel's defense industry, thriving post-9/11, markets tools initially tested on Palestinians as solutions for global insecurity. The conversation raises critical questions about the ethics of such technologies, their impacts on democracy, and the harsh realities of surveillance in Palestinian territories, challenging listeners to reconsider the balance between safety and freedom.
The marketing of surveillance technology by Israeli companies, tested on Palestinians, raises concerns about global privacy and civil liberties.
The collaboration between Israel and the U.S. post-9/11 has influenced global security policies, promoting mass surveillance and militarized borders.
Deep dives
The Rise of Surveillance Technologies in Palestine
Surveillance technology has become an integral part of daily life for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The presence of checkpoints, cameras, and surveillance towers not only creates a sense of constant monitoring but also serves the interests of Israeli defense industries that profit from these technologies. These tools are marketed globally by private Israeli companies, which assert that they provide solutions to international insecurity. The implications of this surveillance extend beyond immediate safety concerns, raising questions about the viability of democracy in a society under such mass surveillance.
Privatization of Security and Its Global Impact
Celebrite, an Israeli digital intelligence company, exemplifies the privatization of security technology, with its operations stretching beyond Israel into countries like Australia and Uganda. The firm’s tools have faced scrutiny for allegedly facilitating invasions of privacy, particularly in welfare contexts, where government agencies used Celebrite’s technology to access sensitive data from individuals. Instances highlight how vulnerable populations, such as those relying on government support, are subjected to invasive practices by both private companies and government agencies. This normalization of surveillance technology, fueled by profits, has far-reaching consequences, threatening individual privacy and dignity.
The War on Terror and Israel's Defense Industry
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Israel's defense sector experienced significant growth, as its government capitalized on global fears of terrorism. The Bush administration’s adoption of similar rhetoric regarding terrorism allowed Israel to better position itself as a key ally in the U.S.-led War on Terror. This strengthened ties between the two nations not only fostered collaboration in military tactics but also influenced the global arms trade, with countries looking to Israel for advanced security measures and technologies. Consequently, the trajectory of security policies shifted worldwide, placing an emphasis on mass surveillance and the militarization of borders.
Surveillance Beyond the Borders of Palestine
The surveillance technologies tested in Palestine have increasingly been exported to various countries, affecting marginalized populations worldwide. Israeli companies are now involved in border security systems for the United States, European Union nations, and other governments, significantly influencing policies related to migration and asylum-seeking. This global spread of surveillance has resulted in heightened dangers for vulnerable groups, leading to a spike in migrant deaths as countries utilize Israeli drones and technologies to monitor and control their borders. This disquieting trend is emblematic of how oppressive regimes collaborate internationally, employing similar tactics to dehumanize and oppress their populations.
In the wake of 9/11, Israel’s defense industry boomed, positioning itself as a key beneficiary of the "war on terror." Loewenstein explores how private Israeli companies market their surveillance technology—tested first on Palestinians—across the globe, claiming to have the answers to address ‘global insecurity.’ In reality, it results in tighter borders, greater monitoring of refugees, and increased state surveillance. We hear from Palestinians about how these repressive tools are being used today in both Gaza and the West Bank. Can democracy exist in a society under mass surveillance? And, does it actually make us any safer?
Guests:Jez Heywood, Andrew Feinstein, Mona Shtaya, Mariam Dawas
The Palestine Laboratory Podcast is Drop Site’s first investigative series, looking into how Israel is using Palestinian territories as a testing ground to develop its occupation-enforcing tech industry. Hosted by investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein and based on his recent book, this podcast series examines how Israel is reshaping conflict and population control globally. What happens in Palestine never stays there.