Israel slams Elon Musk’s Starlink plan for Gaza connectivity

(JNS) – Israel denounced on Saturday a proposal by Elon Musk to provide internet connectivity to aid organizations in Gaza, saying Hamas would take advantage.

With electricity and internet connectivity nearly non-existent, Musk said on X, formerly Twitter, “Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.”

Starlink is a constellation of satellites providing internet connectivity in more than 60 countries, in areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure. Starlink is operated by Musk’s California-based SpaceX spacecraft manufacturer and launch service provider.

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi criticized the idea on X, formerly Twitter.

“Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this. Hamas will use it for terrorist activities. There is no doubt about it, we know it, and musk knows it. Hamas is ISIS,” Karhi wrote.

“Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters, elderly people. All of them! By then, my office will cut any ties with Starlink,” he added.

Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the billionaire Musk in California.

During a 45-minute, live-streamed one-on-one discussion, Netanyahu and Musk discussed artificial intelligence, Iran, antisemitism and judicial reform, among other subjects.

Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.

[ComStar]

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023

Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this.

HAMAS will use it for terrorist activities. There is no doubt about it, we know it, and musk knows it. HAMAS is ISIS.

Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters,… https://t.co/pRNOlnINbZ

— 🇮🇱שלמה קרעי – Shlomo Karhi (@shlomo_karhi) October 28, 2023

We are not so naive.

Per my post, no Starlink terminal has attempted to connect from Gaza.

If one does, we will take extraordinary measures to confirm that it is used *only* for purely humanitarian reasons.

Moreover, we will do a security check with both the US and Israeli…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023