Israel indicated today, Monday, that it has reached a preliminary agreement with businessman Elon Musk, who is currently visiting Israel, to use the Starlink communications service from SpaceX in the Gaza Strip. According to this agreement, "Starlink satellite units in Israel can only be operated with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications, including in the Gaza Strip." It appears that the statement by Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi represents a reversal of his opposition last month to Musk's proposal to provide Starlink support to “internationally recognized relief organizations” in Gaza.
Elon Musk expressed his support for Israel following the attack launched against it by fighters from the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement (Hamas), stating that one of the challenges is "to stop the propaganda that convinces people to get involved in killing." After hearing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say in a live online conversation that Hamas must be eradicated, Musk stated, "There is no choice." Musk added during his visit to Israel while Hamas is fighting in Gaza, "I would like to help as well."
Avi Sharaf, an expert in tracking aircraft movements, reported that Elon Musk arrived in Tel Aviv today, Monday, at the start of a visit during which Israeli leaders intend to highlight the plight of hostages held in Gaza and discuss the rise in antisemitism online. Sharaf noted that a plane carrying the billionaire, who also runs Tesla and SpaceX, arrived. The office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on Sunday that Musk would be coming to meet with the president, with relatives of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza set to join the meeting.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia have increased in the United States and around the world, especially amid the ongoing seven-week war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement (Hamas).
