IBM
Enterprise technology company operating Israel's national population registry and biometric surveillance database (Eitan system). IBM subsidiary Red Hat provides cloud infrastructure to the Israeli military's central computing system (Mamram).
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IBM's operation of Israel's biometric population registry draws direct parallels to the company's documented provision of similar systems to apartheid South Africa and Nazi Germany. UN reports have identified IBM as complicit in facilitating Israel's apartheid system through surveillance infrastructure.
IBM holds over $1 billion in Israeli military and government contracts including a 25-year commitment to military logistics. EU funding exposure creates risk as institutions scrutinise ties to documented human rights violations.
Operation of biometric surveillance systems used at checkpoints the ICJ ruled are part of an illegal occupation (July 2024), combined with military infrastructure supporting operations the ICC has charged as crimes against humanity (November 2024), creates significant legal exposure.
IBM's 3,000+ person Israeli workforce and deep integration with Israeli military and government systems creates operational dependency. Employee pressure for transparency on military contracts mirrors internal dissent seen at peer companies.
Product Alternatives
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Enterprise Cloud & Infrastructure
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Open Source Alternatives to Red Hat
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Comparison Legend
Strategic Analysis
In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.
High severity, lower vulnerability — requires long-term divestment pressure
Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).
Why do these scores change?
Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.
IBM represents a critical infrastructure target due to its unique role operating Israel's national biometric population registry and its extensive military IT contracts spanning over six decades. Unlike companies with arms-length commercial relationships, IBM directly operates the Eitan system - the digital backbone of Israel's apartheid infrastructure - storing ethnic and religious data used to control Palestinian movement through checkpoints the ICJ ruled are part of an illegal occupation (July 2024).
Key Leverage Points
- Historical Precedent: IBM's documented provision of computing systems to both apartheid South Africa and Nazi Germany creates powerful narrative resonance when highlighting current Israeli population registry operation.
- Government Contract Exposure: IBM's extensive US, UK, and EU government contracts create pressure points where human rights compliance can be enforced through procurement policy.
- EU Funding Vulnerability: IBM receives significant EU research and development funding, creating leverage through European Parliament and Commission advocacy.
- Enterprise Alternatives: Unlike highly specialised military contractors, IBM's enterprise services have viable alternatives (SUSE, Canonical, European cloud providers) enabling procurement substitution.
- Employee Concerns: Internal pressure from employees seeking transparency on Israeli military contracts mirrors successful activism at peer companies like Google and Microsoft.
Evidence Summary
Who Profits and AFSC Investigate document IBM's operation of the Eitan biometric population registry under a $240 million contract since 2017, with operations extending to 2035. This system stores personal data including ethnic and religious identities of both Israeli citizens and Palestinians in occupied territories, powering surveillance at checkpoints including Allenby Bridge (the only exit for West Bank Palestinians) and Erez (the only crossing for Gaza residents). The database enables Israel's permit regime, which Amnesty International has characterised as a crime of apartheid.
IBM's military exposure extends through a 25-year contract as primary IT provider for Israeli military logistics centres handling 'combat equipment,' worth approximately $275 million shared with Malam Team (The Intercept, September 2024). Subsidiary Red Hat provides the OpenShift platform powering the IDF's central Mamram computing system, with Red Hat executives publicly stating 'we see ourselves as partners of the IDF' and describing the military as their 'leading customer.' In December 2023, Red Hat hosted Israeli military students for a hackathon explicitly focused on 'Operation Swords of Iron' - the military campaign in Gaza that the ICC has charged involves crimes against humanity.
Engagement Strategy
Campaign efforts should emphasise the historical parallels between IBM's current population registry operation and its documented complicity with previous apartheid regimes. Target government procurement contracts with human rights compliance requirements, particularly in EU jurisdictions where GDPR and human rights frameworks create legal obligations. Engage institutional investors with ESG mandates using UN reporting on IBM's complicity. For enterprise customers, frame contract review around due diligence obligations and the availability of ethical alternatives. Support internal employee organising for transparency on military contracts. The CEO's 2024 statement that IBM 'follows the lead of the U.S. government in foreign business dealings' echoes the company's apartheid-era defence, creating narrative vulnerability when government policy shifts.
Evidence & Sources
Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.
UN report identifies IBM for managing Israel's biometric population registry and training military and intelligence personnel.
Open sourceReports on IBM's continued receipt of EU funding despite documented complicity in Israeli military and surveillance operations.
Open sourceReports on IBM employee concerns about Israeli military contracts and CEO Arvind Krishna's response citing company policy to follow US government lead in foreign business dealings.
Open sourceDocuments IBM alongside other tech giants providing infrastructure and AI capabilities enabling Israeli military operations and surveillance systems.
Open sourceAmerican Friends Service Committee investigation documenting IBM's $240M population registry contract, military logistics IT provision, and Red Hat's IDF computing system support.
Open sourceInvestigative report on IBM's role in Israel's digital surveillance infrastructure including population registry and checkpoint systems.
Open sourceDocuments Red Hat's OpenShift platform deployment for IDF Mamram unit's cloudlet edge computing infrastructure for military field operations.
Open sourceComprehensive report documenting IBM's operation of Israel's biometric population registry, military contracts worth over $1 billion, and Red Hat's partnership with the IDF.
Open sourceRed Hat awarded IDF Mamram unit its technological innovation award at the company's Global Summit, demonstrating strategic partnership with Israeli military.
Open sourceUpdates & Milestones
- UN report identifies IBM complicity
UN report identifies IBM for managing Israel's biometric database and training military personnel as part of companies complicit in operations in Gaza
- CEO responds to employee concerns
CEO Arvind Krishna responds to employee questions about Israeli military contracts, citing company policy to follow US government lead in foreign business
- IBM Israel hosts military technology conference
IBM Israel hosts conference for 100 participants from Israeli military, hi-tech industry, and military Cyber Defense Directorate
- Red Hat hosts military hackathon on Gaza operations
Red Hat hosts 100 students from Israeli military pre-preparatory school for hackathon on 'Operation Swords of Iron' military operations in Gaza
- PIBA Security Operations Center contract
IBM contracted to establish Security Operation Center for Population and Immigration Authority core systems until 2026 for NIS 4.6 million
- Red Hat awards IDF Mamram unit
Red Hat awards Israeli military's Mamram unit its 2022 technological innovation award at Global Summit for customers worldwide
- NIS 5.6M biometric identification contract
IBM contracted for remote biometric identification services for PIBA
- 25-year military logistics contract
IBM contracted as main IT provider for three new Israeli military regional logistics centers handling 'combat equipment' for 25 years (~$275M shared with Malam Team)
- IBM assumes full population registry responsibility
IBM takes over complete operational responsibility for Israel's biometric population registry, including data on Palestinians in occupied territories
- Be'er Sheva cyber research center opens
IBM launches cyber research center adjacent to Israeli military telecommunications base and Computer Service Directorate campus
- IDF Mamram launches operational cloud
Israeli military's Mamram unit launches operational cloud based on Red Hat infrastructure, used by thousands of military users across all branches
- Red Hat develops IDF 'operational internet'
Red Hat collaborates with Israeli military to develop cloud-based operational network designed to increase military lethality, valued at 'several millions of dollars'
- $240M Eitan population registry contract
IBM wins contract to design and operate Israel's new Eitan biometric population database, replacing HP's Aviv system
- Major military storage contract
IBM awarded storage and server systems contract with Israeli military valued at 'hundreds of millions of US dollars'
- $60M Ministry of Defense server contract
IBM wins contract to supply servers to Israeli Ministry of Defense, with additional virtual infrastructure components
- Israeli Police contract begins
IBM begins supplying computer systems and software to the Israeli Police, a relationship maintained for nearly 50 years
- IBM Research Haifa established
Professor Josef Raviv establishes IBM Israel Scientific Center at the Technion in Haifa, now IBM's largest research lab outside the United States
- IBM begins Israeli military relationship
IBM establishes first contracts with the Israeli military, beginning a relationship spanning over six decades