2 apr 2017
The Israeli government has purchased a software system enabling it to monitor social media and specific users to plan ideas in online discourse.
The bid, which was won by a company called Buzzilla, specifies that the software must have the ability to “plant an idea in the debate on social networks, web news sites and forums,” reports Ido Kenan on the website Room 404, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Haaretz said, according to Days of Palestine, that the main purpose of the software is to monitor debate on the internet and identify trends and feelings among the public.
“From time to time, the ministries have the need for monitoring services, and recovery and processing of data on internet,” the bid request states.
“These services are necessary for a range of needs in the government sector, such as generating useful information for the sake of ongoing activity, feasibility testing, identifying trends, identifying needs and identifying and handling crises.”
The Israeli finance ministry, which issued the request, further explains that, until now, ministries requiring such services had obtained them from different sources, so it decided to find a system that can supply all of the ministries’ needs.
Via this system, the Israeli government is able to plant ideas in conversations on social networks and forums through an automated or semi-automated mechanism.
Haaretz wondered what the government is doing with the system. It answered: There is the possibility of swaying an existing debate, which is worrying; but, as the system also offers a breakdown of users, even more worrying is the theoretical ability of the ministries to focus on specific ones, such as supporters of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel.
“In our case, since there is no legal obligation to deliver information, and since there is no certainty regarding the ways this information will be transferred and processed, there is another problem: What is going to be done with that information,” lawyer Yehonatan Klinger, the legal adviser of the Digital Rights Movement, said.
The bid, which was won by a company called Buzzilla, specifies that the software must have the ability to “plant an idea in the debate on social networks, web news sites and forums,” reports Ido Kenan on the website Room 404, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Haaretz said, according to Days of Palestine, that the main purpose of the software is to monitor debate on the internet and identify trends and feelings among the public.
“From time to time, the ministries have the need for monitoring services, and recovery and processing of data on internet,” the bid request states.
“These services are necessary for a range of needs in the government sector, such as generating useful information for the sake of ongoing activity, feasibility testing, identifying trends, identifying needs and identifying and handling crises.”
The Israeli finance ministry, which issued the request, further explains that, until now, ministries requiring such services had obtained them from different sources, so it decided to find a system that can supply all of the ministries’ needs.
Via this system, the Israeli government is able to plant ideas in conversations on social networks and forums through an automated or semi-automated mechanism.
Haaretz wondered what the government is doing with the system. It answered: There is the possibility of swaying an existing debate, which is worrying; but, as the system also offers a breakdown of users, even more worrying is the theoretical ability of the ministries to focus on specific ones, such as supporters of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel.
“In our case, since there is no legal obligation to deliver information, and since there is no certainty regarding the ways this information will be transferred and processed, there is another problem: What is going to be done with that information,” lawyer Yehonatan Klinger, the legal adviser of the Digital Rights Movement, said.
31 mar 2017
The Israeli municipality in Occupied Jerusalem revealed that the city's digital services, among them the municipality's website, are currently down due to a cyber attack, Hebrew-speaking outlets reported Friday.
According to Yediot Ahronot newspaper, the municipality’s digital services were shut down for fear of further harm to the servers and the city's Israeli settlers.
The attack is the second of its kind carried out this week, the same source added.
Israel’s cyber security teams are working alongside field experts to hold back the attack and catch the culprit.
According to Yediot Ahronot newspaper, the municipality’s digital services were shut down for fear of further harm to the servers and the city's Israeli settlers.
The attack is the second of its kind carried out this week, the same source added.
Israel’s cyber security teams are working alongside field experts to hold back the attack and catch the culprit.
26 mar 2017
Israel’s Army Minister Avigdor Lieberman declared Sunday evening that his country is “conducting a new policy against Hamas in a responsible and determined form” since he came to office in June 2016.
“We are conducting a new policy against Hamas in a responsible and determined form. Anyone who sees our responses will see that this is a responsible and determined policy,” he said in a conversation with his followers on Facebook.
In a live chat, Lieberman was asked about his promise before he was appointed Army Minister to eliminate senior Hamas leader Ismail Haneyyah. “It is wise to progress responsibly,” he answered.
“Speak with me about Haneyyah at the end of my term as Defense Minister,” he proclaimed.
Lieberman’s statements came only few days after the assassination of al-Qassam commander Mazen Fuqaha outside his house in Gaza city by six bullets to the head.
In response to a question about a recent report saying there are 15 tunnels reaching into Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lieberman dismissed the claims, saying “there are not 15 tunnels that cross into Israel.”
“If there are any tunnels at all, there are far, far fewer,” he added.
On the other hand, Lieberman said, when asked about military strategy, that there is no intention to re-occupy Gaza Strip or to establish new settlements there.
“We are conducting a new policy against Hamas in a responsible and determined form. Anyone who sees our responses will see that this is a responsible and determined policy,” he said in a conversation with his followers on Facebook.
In a live chat, Lieberman was asked about his promise before he was appointed Army Minister to eliminate senior Hamas leader Ismail Haneyyah. “It is wise to progress responsibly,” he answered.
“Speak with me about Haneyyah at the end of my term as Defense Minister,” he proclaimed.
Lieberman’s statements came only few days after the assassination of al-Qassam commander Mazen Fuqaha outside his house in Gaza city by six bullets to the head.
In response to a question about a recent report saying there are 15 tunnels reaching into Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lieberman dismissed the claims, saying “there are not 15 tunnels that cross into Israel.”
“If there are any tunnels at all, there are far, far fewer,” he added.
On the other hand, Lieberman said, when asked about military strategy, that there is no intention to re-occupy Gaza Strip or to establish new settlements there.
21 mar 2017
Israeli cold-blooded murderer Elor Azaria with his mother. Her nail polish says: Mom's hero! Kill an immobile wounded Palestinian, you get 18 months; smoke a joint, and you get 11 months.
An e-campaign is expected to kick off Tuesday evening on social media networks under the “Hero’s Mother” hashtag to pay homage to Palestinian women on the International Mother’s Day.
Activists announced the finalization of preparations for the campaign, slated to be launched at 8 p.m. (Palestine time) on Facebook and Twitter.
The campaign aims to shed light on the vital role played by Palestinian women and mothers in the national liberation struggle.
The hashtag was inspired by a quote from the mother of a Palestinian anti-occupation youth killed by the Israeli occupation forces.
An e-campaign is expected to kick off Tuesday evening on social media networks under the “Hero’s Mother” hashtag to pay homage to Palestinian women on the International Mother’s Day.
Activists announced the finalization of preparations for the campaign, slated to be launched at 8 p.m. (Palestine time) on Facebook and Twitter.
The campaign aims to shed light on the vital role played by Palestinian women and mothers in the national liberation struggle.
The hashtag was inspired by a quote from the mother of a Palestinian anti-occupation youth killed by the Israeli occupation forces.
Amid a fierce Israeli crackdown on Palestinian freedom of expression, occupation authorities have prosecuted two Palestinians over Facebook posts, according to Days of Palestine.
Israeli authorities issued a list of charges, including “Facebook incitement” against Palestinian journalist Mohamed Batroukh, from Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem-based human rights group, Wadi al-Hilweh Information Centre, said that this is a “clear and flagrant violation” of rights to impart information and free speech.
Batroukh was kidnapped by Israeli forces during a night raid on March 7, Safa news agency said.
Meanwhile, an Israeli judge sentenced Walid Rajabi to 10 months of actual imprisonment and a suspended probation sentence of seven months for three years, on charges of incitement on Facebook.
Tens of Palestinians had been kidnapped, charged and sentenced by the Israeli occupation over expressing their opinions on social media during the last six months.
Israeli authorities issued a list of charges, including “Facebook incitement” against Palestinian journalist Mohamed Batroukh, from Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem-based human rights group, Wadi al-Hilweh Information Centre, said that this is a “clear and flagrant violation” of rights to impart information and free speech.
Batroukh was kidnapped by Israeli forces during a night raid on March 7, Safa news agency said.
Meanwhile, an Israeli judge sentenced Walid Rajabi to 10 months of actual imprisonment and a suspended probation sentence of seven months for three years, on charges of incitement on Facebook.
Tens of Palestinians had been kidnapped, charged and sentenced by the Israeli occupation over expressing their opinions on social media during the last six months.
17 mar 2017
The Israeli Ofer Court on Thursday evening adjourned the trial of the female Palestinian MP Samira Halayka to Tuesday.
A PIC news correspondent said three hearings were held for MP Halayka but there were neither charges nor tangible evidence that legitimize her detention.
The Israeli court claimed the trial was delayed again because an indictment list is being prepared against Halayka.
Halayka was arrested on account of inciting to anti-occupation activism on social media networks.
A PIC news correspondent said three hearings were held for MP Halayka but there were neither charges nor tangible evidence that legitimize her detention.
The Israeli court claimed the trial was delayed again because an indictment list is being prepared against Halayka.
Halayka was arrested on account of inciting to anti-occupation activism on social media networks.
7 mar 2017
An Israeli court in Haifa city on Monday sentenced a Palestinian young man to one year in prison on charges of incitement and supporting a resistance group on social media.
According to Quds Press, the ruling was issued following a compromise between the defense lawyer and the Israeli prosecutor.
The indictment claimed that 20-year-old Khaled Mawasi, from I'billin village in the Galilee, published postings on Facebook and Instagram that incited to violence and terrorism (acts of resistance against the occupation) and supported Hamas.
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, recently enacted legislation criminalizing anyone who incite against Israel on social media outlets and allowing the competent authorities to give orders to providers of social networking services to remove postings inciting against Israel.
There was also a special agreement last year between Facebook and Israel over disabling pages that antagonize Israel and incite against it.
More than 150 Palestinians had been arrested and jailed after they expressed opinions against Israel on their social media pages since the outbreak of al-Aqsa intifada (uprising) in October 2015.
According to Quds Press, the ruling was issued following a compromise between the defense lawyer and the Israeli prosecutor.
The indictment claimed that 20-year-old Khaled Mawasi, from I'billin village in the Galilee, published postings on Facebook and Instagram that incited to violence and terrorism (acts of resistance against the occupation) and supported Hamas.
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, recently enacted legislation criminalizing anyone who incite against Israel on social media outlets and allowing the competent authorities to give orders to providers of social networking services to remove postings inciting against Israel.
There was also a special agreement last year between Facebook and Israel over disabling pages that antagonize Israel and incite against it.
More than 150 Palestinians had been arrested and jailed after they expressed opinions against Israel on their social media pages since the outbreak of al-Aqsa intifada (uprising) in October 2015.
3 mar 2017
People around the world will soon be able to walk the streets of Palestinian cities, via Google Maps, says Safa Dweik, director of the maps department in Ramallah.
She told WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency that Google and the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology (MTIT) have worked together to put the Palestinian cities on Google Map by allowing its Street View vehicle to roam the streets taking pictures of different places.
She said efforts were underway since 2013 to bring in the Google Street View vehicle but, apparently, Israel has blocked these efforts until just recently.
MTIT announced, on Thursday, the launch of a filming project around various Palestinian cities, starting with Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jericho, using the Google Street View vehicle.
It said that a trained Palestinian crew is going to drive the car, instead of the regular Google staff.
The vehicle is going to film tourist sites in these cities to make them available for view to millions around the world, particularly Diaspora Palestinians who are not able to visit home.
She told WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency that Google and the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology (MTIT) have worked together to put the Palestinian cities on Google Map by allowing its Street View vehicle to roam the streets taking pictures of different places.
She said efforts were underway since 2013 to bring in the Google Street View vehicle but, apparently, Israel has blocked these efforts until just recently.
MTIT announced, on Thursday, the launch of a filming project around various Palestinian cities, starting with Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jericho, using the Google Street View vehicle.
It said that a trained Palestinian crew is going to drive the car, instead of the regular Google staff.
The vehicle is going to film tourist sites in these cities to make them available for view to millions around the world, particularly Diaspora Palestinians who are not able to visit home.
