CIA can’t operate without it.
Pentagon can’t function without it.
And Wall Street can’t trade without it.
Yet most people have no idea what Palantir does behind closed doors.
Here’s how the U.S. government allowed a $300B surveillance company to track your every move.
So what does Palantir actually do?
It tracks everything:
Phone logs. Content. License plates. Bank records. Surveillance feeds.
Then it finds hidden patterns.
And predicts what you’ll do before you do it.
It is like a spy following actions of anyone and anything.
However, the dark side is worse than you know: It works like a software of Israel rather than US.
Here is what AI gathered Palantir-Israeli connection;
Palantir Technologies, a U.S.-based data analytics and AI company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has established notable ties with Israel, particularly in the defense and technology sectors. Founded in 2003 by Peter Thiel (Jewish or German), Alex Karp (Jewish), Stephen Cohen (Jewish), Joe Lonsdale (Jewish), and others, Palantir specializes in software platforms like Gotham, Foundry, and AIP, which are used for intelligence, surveillance, and data integration by governments and corporations worldwide. Below is an overview of its connections to Israel, based on available information.
Strategic Partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defense
In January 2024, Palantir announced a strategic partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense to supply advanced technology for Israel’s military efforts, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. This agreement followed a high-profile board meeting in Tel Aviv, attended by CEO Alex Karp and co-founder Peter Thiel, signaling solidarity with Israel. Palantir’s Executive Vice President Josh Harris stated that the partnership aims to “harness Palantir’s advanced technology in support of war-related missions.” The company has been providing AI-driven tools, including its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), to assist with battlefield intelligence and decision-making, such as analyzing enemy targets and proposing battle plans.
Palantir’s CEO Alex Karp has been vocal about the company’s support for Israel, stating in interviews that its products have been in “great demand” since the war began and that the company was involved in “operationally crucial operations” within weeks of October 7. Karp has framed this support as part of a broader commitment to Western allies, emphasizing that Palantir only supplies its technology to liberal democracies like Israel and the U.S. However, Palantir has clarified that it is not involved with specific Israeli programs like the “Lavender” database or “Gospel” targeting software, which have been linked to AI-assisted military operations in Gaza.
Operations in Israel
Palantir has maintained a presence in Israel for over a decade, with an office in Tel Aviv led by Ayelet Gilan, the general manager of Palantir Israel. The company employs former Israeli government officials and collaborates closely with local defense and security entities. Karp has praised Israel’s tech talent, describing it as “qualitative and argumentative,” and expressed optimism about future acquisitions in the region. The company’s decision to hold its first board meeting of 2024 in Tel Aviv was described as a gesture of solidarity amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, a move that drew both praise and criticism.
Public Support and Controversy
Palantir’s leadership, particularly Karp, has been outspoken in its support for Israel, a stance that sets it apart from many tech companies. In November 2023, Karp criticized corporate America for its silence on the Israel-Hamas conflict, and in October 2023, Palantir took out a full-page ad in The New York Times declaring, “Palantir stands with Israel.” This public position has led to internal and external backlash. Some employees have left the company in protest of its pro-Israel stance, with Karp acknowledging, “We’ve lost employees. I’m sure we’ll lose more.”
The company has also faced protests and divestments due to its work with Israel. In December 2023, pro-Palestinian activists protested outside Palantir’s London office, accusing the company of being “complicit” in Israeli war crimes due to its provision of intelligence and surveillance services, including predictive policing systems. In October 2024, Storebrand Asset Management, a Norwegian investor managing $91.53 billion, divested $24 million in Palantir stock, citing concerns that the company’s AI-based surveillance tools, used by Israel in the West Bank and Gaza, could violate international humanitarian law and human rights. Storebrand noted that Palantir did not respond to its requests for information. Similarly, San Francisco State University announced divestment from Palantir in 2024, citing its role in the Gaza conflict.
Allegations and Ethical Concerns
Critics, including human rights organizations, have raised concerns about Palantir’s role in providing AI-driven targeting systems to Israel, alleging that these tools contribute to civilian casualties in Gaza. A report by +972 Magazine and Local Call suggested that Palantir’s technology may facilitate Israel’s military operations, though the company has denied direct involvement in specific programs like “Lavender.” Activists, such as Sumer Mobarak, have publicly confronted Karp, accusing Palantir of enabling “genocide” through its AI tools. Palantir has countered these claims, arguing that its work supports Israel’s defense against “barbaric” attacks and that allegations of complicity in war crimes lack evidence.
Jewish Connections
While Palantir’s leadership includes individuals of Jewish descent, such as CEO Alex Karp, who is the son of a Jewish doctor from Philadelphia, the company’s connection to Israel is primarily driven by business and ideological alignment rather than religious or ethnic ties. Karp has framed his support for Israel as part of a broader belief in the superiority of Western democratic values, stating, “Do you believe the West has created a superior way of living?” Co-founder Peter Thiel, who is not Jewish, has also expressed support for Israel, stating at a Cambridge Union event in May 2024 that he “defers to Israel” on matters related to its military use of AI. Posts on X have speculated about the influence of Jewish individuals within Palantir’s leadership, but these claims often lack nuance and risk promoting antisemitic tropes without evidence.
Broader Context
Palantir’s work with Israel is part of its broader portfolio of providing AI and data analytics to Western governments, including the U.S. Department of Defense, CIA, and NSA. Its software, such as Gotham, is used for intelligence and counter-terrorism, while its AIP platform supports battlefield decision-making. The company’s ties to Israel mirror its contracts with other U.S. allies, such as Ukraine, where it has provided similar technology for military purposes. However, its high-profile support for Israel has drawn unique scrutiny, particularly amid the sensitive geopolitical context of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
