How Israel automated occupation in Hebron | The Listening Post

Summary

The video script explores the intense surveillance and control mechanisms in Hebron, a city in the occupied West Bank. It delves into the Israeli military's use of technology, including facial recognition and AI-driven systems, to monitor and manage the Palestinian population, creating a 'smart city' environment. The script also discusses the role of settlers in reinforcing this surveillance, using their own security systems and even drones to intimidate Palestinians. The narrative highlights the impact of these measures on the daily lives of Palestinians, suggesting a form of digital apartheid and the dehumanizing effects of constant surveillance.

Takeaways

• 😷 Hebron, a city in the occupied West Bank, is a focal point for Israeli settlers and is characterized by a heavy military presence and surveillance.
• 🏠 Jewish settlers in Hebron have illegally taken over Palestinian homes, living in the heart of the city under the protection of Israeli forces.
• 📈 The city is divided into H1, under Palestinian Authority control, and H2, under full Israeli control, with the latter being a center for settler activity.
• 👮 Israeli military surveillance in H2 is extensive, with the aim of protecting settlers and controlling the Palestinian population.
• 🚨 The Israeli military uses advanced technologies like CCTV and facial recognition to monitor Palestinians, contributing to a 'carceral' atmosphere.
• 📈 There has been a significant rise in settler violence against Palestinians, with incidents in Hebron occurring almost daily.
• 🛃 Palestinians face numerous checkpoints and are subject to a tiered system of surveillance, which can lead to arbitrary delays and restrictions on their movement.
• 🤖 AI-driven surveillance is touted as a means to create a 'frictionless' occupation, but it also serves to deepen control over Palestinians and potentially entrench apartheid.
• 📱 Israeli forces use several systems, including Red Wolf, Blue Wolf, and White Wolf, to collect and analyze data on Palestinians, creating a comprehensive profile database.
• 🌐 Settlers also operate their own surveillance systems, sometimes with funding from international sources, further complicating the landscape of control and surveillance in the West Bank.

Q & A

What is the significance of Hebron in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Hebron is a place of religious significance, attracting some of Israel's most extreme settlers who have illegally taken over Palestinian homes. It is unique because settlers live in the heart of the city, unlike other Palestinian cities.

How is Hebron divided and what does each section represent?

Hebron is divided into two sections: H1, where the Palestinian Authority has nominal control, and H2, which is under full Israeli control. This division is designed to protect the 800 settlers living in H2 among around 40,000 Palestinians.

What is the term used to describe areas in H2 where Palestinians are forbidden?

The official term used to describe areas in H2 where Palestinians are forbidden is 'sterile areas'.

What is the term 'carcerial' used to describe in the context of Hebron?

The term 'carcerial' is used to describe the feeling of being constantly monitored and controlled, as if living in a prison that extends beyond physical boundaries into every aspect of life.

How has the number of settler attacks against Palestinians changed in recent years?

Over the last five years, the number of settler attacks against Palestinians has risen by almost 200 percent, with incidents in Hebron occurring almost daily.

What is the Israeli military's term for Hebron and what does it imply?

The Israeli military refers to Hebron as a 'smart city,' which is a euphemism for the extensive system of surveillance and facial recognition operated on Palestinians.

What is the purpose of the Israeli military's surveillance systems in Hebron?

The surveillance systems are designed to control and monitor the Palestinian population, with the stated goal of reducing friction and making the occupation more 'humanitarian,' but in reality, they contribute to a deeply invasive and controlling environment.

What are the 'Red Wolf,' 'Blue Wolf,' and 'White Wolf' systems and how do they function?

Red Wolf is a biometric registration system used at permanent checkpoints. Blue Wolf is a facial recognition app used in the field during raids or at temporary checkpoints. White Wolf is an app for settlers to check if Palestinian workers have the correct permits, giving them access to government data.

How does the Israeli military's use of AI and surveillance technologies impact the daily lives of Palestinians?

The use of AI and surveillance technologies creates a digitally mediated prison environment, where Palestinians feel their every movement, online and offline activities, and even thoughts are monitored, leading to a deeply invasive and dehumanizing experience.

What is the historical context of surveillance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Surveillance practices date back to British rule, with the creation of detailed records on Palestinian communities. These were later adopted and expanded by Jewish paramilitary groups and the Israeli military, leading to the current extensive surveillance systems.

How do settlers contribute to the surveillance and control of Palestinians in the West Bank?

Settlers operate their own security camera systems and use technologies like drones to monitor Palestinian activities, often with the support of foreign funding. This allows them to exert control and contribute to the occupation in ways that may be subject to less regulation than the Israeli military.