IBM Cloud, once known as Bluemix, is touted as a suite of cloud computing services for businesses provided by IBM. In the midst of heightened sensitivity around the Israel-Palestine conflict, the association between IBM Cloud and Israel demands a closer, critical examination.
Unveiling the depth of this connection reveals a more intricate and potentially controversial landscape than IBM’s outward portrayal.
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IBM’s Enigmatic Affiliation with Israel
The roots of IBM’s involvement in Israel date back to 1972, with the establishment of the IBM Israel Scientific Center. Presently, IBM boasts over 1000 employees spread across various Israeli locations, notably in Haifa, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Rehovot, and the Jerusalem Technology Park. The Haifa Research Lab, IBM’s flagship R&D center outside the US, focuses on cloud computing, healthcare, verification technologies, and more.
IBM’s Investments and Shareholders
IBM’s acquisitions in Israel, such as the $60 million acquisition of Polar Security, an Israeli cyber tech startup, signal deeper entrenchment in Israeli tech ventures. Polar Security’s integration into IBM’s Guardium family of products solidifies IBM’s strategic interest in Israeli technological advancements.
A scrutiny of IBM’s major shareholders, including The Vanguard Group, Inc. and BlackRock Fund Advisors, exposes intricate financial connections entwined with Israeli interests. These financial stakeholders with significant stakes in IBM accentuate the complex and potentially contentious financial web IBM operates within.
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IBM’s ostensibly neutral stance in global conflicts and geopolitical complexities starkly contrasts with its multi-faceted and deeply interwoven connections with Israel. From expansive research and development activities to strategic acquisitions and financial alliances, IBM’s involvement in Israel appears far from impartial.
This intricate involvement demands a reconsideration of IBM Cloud’s proclaimed neutrality, raising poignant questions about its tacit alignment with Israeli interests amid the turbulent landscape of the Israel-Palestine conflict.