Surveillance technologies developed by Israel today represent a benchmark in the global security market. It's no coincidence that many of these solutions are described as " field-proven ," as their effectiveness has often been tested in the occupied Palestinian territories, where population control is widespread and pervasive. This raises complex and controversial questions that touch on the intersection of technological innovation, human rights, and security.
" The occupied territories, beyond being a battlefield, have become a gigantic laboratory where surveillance is extended, thanks to artificial intelligence, to the entire Palestinian population, regardless of whether they are criminals or terrorists ," explains Meron Rapoport , director of the website Local Call. This continuous testing environment allows Israeli companies to develop and refine increasingly sophisticated control systems.
Tools such as high-resolution cameras, facial recognition software, and data analytics platforms are used daily to monitor the lives of millions of Palestinians. These systems, designed to ensure security and prevent acts of violence, risk severely restricting fundamental freedoms.
The expertise developed in the occupied territories has become one of Israel's main competitive weapons in the international security market. Numerous governments, both Western and Arab, purchase these technologies to protect their critical infrastructure and monitor potential threats. However, the use of these tools is not always limited to the fight against terrorism or organized crime.
A significant example is the case of Paragon spyware , an advanced espionage technology that can be used to monitor journalists, human rights activists, and other sensitive groups. This type of use challenges the balance between national security and respect for individual privacy.
Israel doesn't limit itself to surveillance when it comes to advanced technologies. The use of artificial intelligence in bombing, reconnaissance systems, and espionage operations is an integral part of its military strategies. The occupied territories are becoming a testing ground for these technologies, allowing the Jewish state to test and refine precision warfare tools in real-world settings.
Among the best-known systems are autonomous drones and software that analyze data collected by sensors in the field in real time. These tools not only increase the effectiveness of military operations, but also reduce decision-making times, enabling rapid and targeted interventions. The human cost of these operations, however, is often extremely high, with devastating consequences for local populations.
Once perfected, these technologies are marketed globally. Israel, a leader in the defense sector, exports systems that promise to revolutionize the warfighting capabilities of purchasing governments. These tools, presented as essential to ensuring national security, end up being used in contexts far removed from the theater of war, often with ethically questionable applications.
The export of surveillance technologies raises significant ethical questions. While these solutions can contribute to strengthening security, they can also be used to suppress dissent or perpetrate human rights violations. In occupied territories, widespread surveillance is justified by the conflict context, but when these technologies are applied in democratic countries, the risk of abuse cannot be ignored.
In Italy, for example, the adoption of these tools could occur selectively, targeting specific groups or individuals. " Perhaps not on a large scale, but as the Paragon spyware case should teach us , the espionage and surveillance systems tested here could be used against certain groups Rapoport further emphasizes .
The central question is how to balance the need for security with the protection of individual freedoms. In an increasingly connected and interdependent world, it is essential to establish clear and shared rules for the use of these technologies. This includes the need for greater transparency in sales contracts and the actual use of purchased devices, as well as the introduction of regulations that protect privacy and fundamental rights.
Israel, with its leading role in the security market, raises questions that extend far beyond the borders of the Middle East. Surveillance technologies are not just tools, but also mirrors of the societies that adopt them. Their diffusion could profoundly transform the way we conceive of freedom, rights, and security. The question is: are we ready to face these ethical challenges? And, above all, who watches over the watchers?
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