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ACCORDING TO LIZ - The CityWatch article “From Nine-Eleven to Lavender” connected the dots between American corporations and what the author described as the use of A.I.-enhanced targeting systems by the IDF—including programs known as Gospel, Lavender, and Where’s Daddy—that have been criticized by human rights groups for contributing to the loss of civilian lives in Gaza.
The article did not name names so as not to omit any of the guilty, and to avoid any chance of these large corporations creating legal or financial problems for this publication.
Then, as reported by The Guardian, Microsoft was implicated in controversy over its technology allegedly being used in Israeli military operations—raising questions about corporate responsibility and ethics. The Guardian story, later supported by reports from Israeli outlets +972 Magazine and Local Call, cited concerns that the IDF may have been using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store data from “millions of mobile phone calls made each day by Palestinians” in Gaza and the West Bank, information allegedly used for targeting operations that have resulted in large numbers of civilian casualties.
According to these reports, Microsoft initiated an internal review. Its president, Brad Smith, emphasized the company’s commitment to privacy rights and acknowledged in a letter to employees that there was “evidence supporting” the concern that Israel was using Microsoft technology in civilian surveillance. Microsoft has since advised Israel’s Ministry of Defense that it would “cease and disable specified subscriptions and services,” including certain A.I. and cloud technologies.
While this may appear to be a corrective step, critics argue it amounts to a Band-Aid — as Microsoft continues to face scrutiny for profits derived from defense-related contracts worldwide, including those tied to U.S. operations.
Now, President Donald Trump has publicly given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu what many observers view as a “green light” to “finish the job” in Gaza if Hamas rejects a cease-fire proposal. That deal, critics contend, holds no path to Palestinian self-governance and instead tightens control under Netanyahu and his allies.
Observers note that Israeli forces have continued operations resulting in widespread destruction across Gaza, with comparisons drawn by some historians and humanitarian groups to the devastation seen in Europe during World War II.
Palestinians remain desperate for an end to war and the restoration of food and medical aid, which have been severely restricted during Israel’s military campaign. There are also fears of mass displacement after reports—unconfirmed but widely discussed—suggesting that both U.S. and Israeli leaders have contemplated resettling portions of Gaza’s population as part of a larger redevelopment plan.
Trump’s plan, critics argue, grants Netanyahu nearly all of his long-standing political goals. Although Trump has claimed support from Arab and Muslim leaders, local and international opposition remains strong, and many question whether the voices of Palestinians themselves are being heard.
If Trump hopes to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, he would not stand idly by while Israeli settlers commit acts of violence against civilians or continue illegal land seizures. Nor would he punish human rights organizations advocating for Palestinian civil liberties, continue supplying Israel with billions in weapons, or stand beside Netanyahu promising unconditional U.S. support for the continuation of the Gaza campaign.
The proposed “Board of Peace,” co-chaired by Trump and Blair, would reportedly oversee reconstruction funding — giving it immense control over how aid flows and raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corporate profiteering.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has rejected calls for a Palestinian state, conditioning any troop withdrawal on Hamas disarmament — a precondition that critics say is unrealistic and leaves Gaza’s civilian population vulnerable to ongoing violence and occupation.
As for Tony Blair, once hailed as a unifying leader, his post office career has been dogged by criticism. Through his firm, Tony Blair Associates, he has advised regimes accused of human rights abuses and has been accused by some journalists of “whitewashing” clients’ reputations. Blair remains a steadfast supporter of Israel and has maintained close ties to Netanyahu, Trump, and other controversial figures, including Vladimir Putin.
Given the long record of military interventions, human rights controversies, and geopolitical opportunism linking these leaders, many ask whether figures like Blair, Netanyahu, and Trump should be shaping the future of Gaza — or of peace itself.
(Liz Amsden is a former Angeleno now living in Vermont and a regular CityWatch contributor. She writes on issues she’s passionate about, including social justice, government accountability, and community empowerment. Liz brings a sharp, activist voice to her commentary and continues to engage with Los Angeles civic affairs from afar. She can be reached at [email protected].)
