Elon Musk intervenes in another war. According to reports from the country, the tycoon signed an agreement with Israel to bring Starlink satellite internet to the Gaza Strip. The plan was unveiled after the tycoon visited the conflict zone, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged to help rebuild the region.
Shlomo Karhi posted on X (Twitter), “Elon Musk, I congratulate you for reaching an agreement in principle with the Ministry of Communications under your leadership. Of course, the service will not be freely available. The minister emphasized. that “as a result of this landmark agreement, Starlink satellite units may only be operated in Israel, including the Gaza Strip, with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications.”
The official called the deal “crucial” in the fight against Hamas. Neither Musk nor Starlink have confirmed the deal, but the billionaire had previously indicated plans to offer internet to “internationally recognized aid organizations” in Gaza.
The Israeli government, which cut off all communications in the region, initially said it would oppose Musk and Starlink’s move. “Hamas will use it for terrorist activities. There’s no doubt about it, we know it and Musk knows it,” Karhi assured. Internet services in the region, especially for communities near conflict zones.
It is not yet known when Starlink will start operating in the Gaza Strip. Although, as we have already pointed out, the satellites of Elon Musk’s company must receive prior permission from the Israeli authorities.
Musk and Starlink deal amid anti-Semitic controversy
But it is not just about his human interest. The new Starlink deal and Elon Musk’s visit come days after a large group of advertisers decided to stop advertising on X (Twitter) because of anti-Semitic content. The trigger was a report by the non-profit organization Media Matters for America, which found that ads from technology companies such as Apple, IBM, Amazon, and Oracle were shown next to Nazi and far-right publications.
Elon Musk, the owner of the social network, was also directly involved in this dispute since last year. A day before the report was published, the businessman voiced his support for a publication that said Jewish communities perpetuate a “dialectical hatred of whites.” “You are absolutely right,” he said on X (Twitter).
Apple, IBM, Disney, and the European Commission were the first to announce that they would reduce advertising on the platform. But then companies like Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Netflix, and Uber joined in. According to the New York Times, more than 100 brands and advertisers have suspended the program. X (Twitter) could lose up to $75 million in ad revenue this year if advertisers don’t come back.
So, after being accused of anti-Semitism and losing millions of dollars, Elon Musk desperately tried to clean up the company’s face and his own face. The tycoon said he is against anti-Semitism and anything that “promotes hatred and conflict”, even on X (Twitter). “Israel tries to avoid killing civilians and does everything possible to avoid killing civilians,” the billionaire said.
Elon Musk, Gaza, and Ukraine
The deal for Starlink operations in Israel and Gaza once again demonstrates the privileged position that Elon Musk enjoys around the world. This was already clear from the war in Ukraine, where it intervened with all the power of its satellite platform. When the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia disrupted communications in that country. In response, Elon Musk agreed to provide millions of dollars in satellite terminals to Ukrainian citizens. SpaceX privately sent truckloads of Starlink docking antennas into the conflict zone. This has allowed the Ukrainian soldiers to stay connected.
A biography of the businessman published by Walter Isaacson confirms that Musk has held high-level talks with officials in Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. The book revealed an incident in which a SpaceX owner cut off Starlink Internet service for an underwater drone in Ukraine. He did this just as they attacked the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. He also explains how top Ukrainian government officials begged the billionaire to restore service.
Elon Musk publicly explained that he did this to avoid escalating conflicts and “World War III”. After the revelations about Starlink and the Ukrainian underwater drones, the US government formalized a contract with SpaceX.
Starlink already has a lot going for it.
