Google and Amazon are both reluctant to discuss security aspects of the cloud services they provide through their joint contract with the Israeli government, known as Project Nimbus. Although both the Ministry of Defense and Israel Defense Forces are Nimbus customers, Google typically downplays the military elements while Amazon remains largely silent.
According to a 63-page Israeli government procurement document, however, two of Israel’s top state-owned weapons manufacturers are mandated to use Amazon and Google for their cloud computing needs. While the tender document does not detail Google and Amazon’s contractual work with the Israeli arms industry, which includes the production of drones, missiles, and other weapons used in attacks on Gaza, it outlines how Israeli agencies will obtain software services through Nimbus.
“If tech companies, including Google and Amazon, are involved in business activities that could impact Palestinians in Gaza or those living under apartheid in general, they must adhere to their responsibility to conduct enhanced human rights due diligence throughout the lifecycle of their products,” said Matt Mahmoudi, a researcher at Amnesty International focusing on tech issues. “This includes how they plan to prevent, mitigate, and address possible human rights violations, especially in light of mandatory relationships with weapons manufacturers that contribute to the risk of genocide.”
Project Nimbus, which offers cloud services to the Israeli government ranging from basic Google Meet video chats to advanced machine-learning tools, has sparked public outrage. Google and Amazon have faced backlash in the form of street protests and employee revolts.
The tender document, first published in 2021 and updated periodically, lays out the rules for the state’s purchase of cloud computing services from Amazon and Google, who won the $1.2 billion contract in 2021. The document includes a list of Israeli companies and government offices required to purchase services from the winning bidder.
While the document does not mandate these entities to buy cloud services, those in need must acquire them from the two American tech giants. The list of obligatory cloud customers includes state entities like the Bank of Israel, the Israel Airports Authority, and the Settlement Division, as well as major arms manufacturers like Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Google and Amazon’s involvement with Israeli arms manufacturers has raised questions about their claims that Project Nimbus does not involve weapons. Google reiterated its position that the contract is for non-military workloads, while Amazon declined to comment, and the arms manufacturers did not respond to requests for comment.
The Israeli document does not specify the cloud services these arms makers must purchase or from whom, but there have been reports of transitions to Amazon Web Services by companies like Rafael. Google has not clarified its stance on human rights commitments concerning Israel.
Following a report by +972 Magazine on April 3 that revealed the Israeli military’s use of Google Photos’ facial recognition technology to create a “hit list” of Palestinians in Gaza, Google did not address whether it permitted this use of its software.
Both Google and Amazon claim to adhere to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which aim to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts linked to their operations. Israeli human rights attorney Michael Sfard emphasized that Google and Amazon should conduct human rights due diligence to avoid complicity in Israeli crimes.
The use of Spike missiles by Rafael, a major Israeli arms contractor, has raised concerns due to their effectiveness against people. These missiles have been attributed to civilian casualties in Gaza, including the recent drone killing of aid workers. Additionally, Elta Systems, a subsidiary of IAI, has been identified as a customer of Nimbus, using remote-controlled bulldozers in Gaza.
IAI’s Heron drone armed with Spike missiles is frequently used by the Israeli Air Force in Gaza. The collaboration between IAI and Rafael highlights their significant roles in the conflict. Project Nimbus also reveals connections between the Israeli security establishment and the American defense industry, with Google and Amazon providing cloud services and access to third-party software like Palantir’s Foundry.
Palantir’s software, including Foundry, is used by the Israeli military for targeting in Gaza. The company has expressed support for the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza, emphasizing the necessity of using force against certain forms of evil. Palantir shows support for Israel.
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