Daniel Silberman, a social justice advocate with roots in Chile, and Sasha Polakow-Suransky, journalist and author of "The Unspoken Alliance," delve into Israel's historical military collaborations, notably with the Pinochet regime. They discuss the emotional impact of state violence and the troubling legacies of arms deals with oppressive governments. The conversation extends to Israel's current surveillance practices and how its military strategies influence global conflicts. They explore the alarming patterns of human rights violations perpetuated through international alliances, especially post-1967.
The podcast reveals Israel’s extensive arms trade with authoritarian regimes, showcasing a troubling alliance driven by political motives rather than just profit.
Historical context illustrates how Israel's military support for oppressive governments has shaped global strategies of conflict and population control since 1948.
Deep dives
Israel's Military Involvement in Chile
Israel's engagement with international repressive regimes is evidenced by its military support for Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship. This period of dictatorship was marked by severe human rights abuses, including the disappearance and torture of thousands of political opponents. One key example is Daniel Silberman, whose father was imprisoned and later murdered by the regime, highlighting the personal impact of Israel's arms and training provided to Pinochet's forces. Official records reveal that Israel was a major arms supplier to Chile, which shows a longstanding pattern of Israel aligning itself with authoritarian governments globally.
The Arms Trade and Political Complicity
The podcast discusses Israel's strategic arms trade with various authoritarian states, suggesting that these transactions were not merely business but also politically motivated partnerships. Documentation from the 1980s indicates that Israeli officials engaged with the South African apartheid regime in arms dealings, even as the international community condemned such actions. The alignment between the two nations stemmed from a shared ideology of survivalism amidst perceived threats, creating a bond that facilitated military cooperation. This ideological and political connection extended to various global partners, illustrating the complexities of Israel's relationships influenced by its own security and diplomatic needs.
Historical Context of Arms Sales and Ideological Bonds
The narrative also emphasizes the historical context in which Israel emerged as a military ally to numerous oppressive regimes, particularly after the 1967 Six-Day War. This conflict dramatically shifted Israel’s position in the Middle East, leading it to seek alliances with dictatorial regimes to counter growing international condemnation of its actions. The ideological foundation for these relationships often involved the sharing of military technology and training methods, reminiscent of tactics used against Palestinians. This collaboration became a model for other nations wishing to repress their populations, revealing a troubling cycle of violence and complicity in human rights violations.
Implications of Arms Trade on Global Politics
The continuous pattern of arms sales by Israel to various regimes, including Myanmar and India, raises significant ethical questions about the motives behind these transactions. Recent occurrences show that Israel not only sells military equipment but also shares surveillance technologies, indicating a broader strategy of international influence that prioritizes profit over human rights. Critically, these actions reveal a concerning trend of Israel positioning itself as a resource for states committing severe human rights abuses, thereby normalizing its role in global political oppression. The implications of these relationships illustrate a chilling reality—that Israel's security industry thrives on conflict and repression rather than working towards resolution and peace.
Investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein uncovers how the Palestine Laboratory has operated since 1948, detailing Israel’s long-standing role as a major arms dealer to some of the world’s most repressive regimes. Using declassified documents, Loewenstein traces secret deals made with dictators from Pinochet's Chile to apartheid South Africa and explores how Israel's military model is now being replicated in places like Myanmar and India. As history repeats itself, how does Israel continue to act with impunity?
Guests: Daniel Silberman and Sasha Polakow-Suransky
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.
Credits
Host: Antony Loewenstein
Series Producer: Elle Marsh
Producer: Bethany Atkinson-Quinton
Production & Sound Engineering: Tim Jenkins
Field Recording: Cinnamon Nippard
Studio Recordings at 2SER: Michael Jones and Jonathan Chang