BOYCOTT ISRAEL CAMPAIGN
BOYCOTT Motorola
Boycott Rating:
Motorola supplies Israel with the military tools it needs to sustain its occupation and oppression of the Palestinians - from fuses for aircraft bombs and guided missiles; military encrypted comms systems with transportable units which deploy with the army in to the battle field; advanced radar/thermal camera surveillance systems for the settlements; metal detection gates used at checkpoints; and a cellular network tailored for the settlements. Its economic investment in Israel, which dates back to 1948, is huge and in recognition Motorola has received the Jubilee Award.
Products & Affiliated Companies:
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Research Findings:
Motorola Inc. is a US based multinational electronics corporation with a 2007 sales turnover of $36.6 billion[1]. In 2008, Motorola's mobile phone division accounted for half its revenue[17]. In 2006 Motorola was #2 in the worldwide mobile phone market with a 21% share. Since then Motorola's market share has collapsed, dropping to #5 in 2008 behind Nokia, Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson. With its market share down to just 6.2% (#4, 1Q 2009)[18] Motorola is vulnerable to consumer pressure.
In 1998 Motorola Inc, received the Jubilee Award presented by the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is the highest tribute ever awarded by the "State of Israel" in recognition of those organizations, that through their investments and trade relationships, have done the most to strengthen the Israeli economy[19].
At the Israeli Prime Minister's Conference (Nov 2003) Mike Zafirovski the Chief Operating Officer of Motorola Inc. talked of Motorola's history in Israel which began before 1948[5]. In 1948, in defiance of the Arab boycott, Motorola began supplying communications equipment worth $125 million to the fledgling state. Globes, Israel's business daily, in a feature on Motorola titled "We were first" revealed "Motorola Israel, which was set up when the State of Israel was founded in 1948, is proud of the fact that it was the first non-North American branch of the communications giant, and that Motorola was one of the few companies to defy the Arab boycott by establishing an Israeli subsidiary."[11] 60 years on, Motorola Israel employs nearly 4,500 israelis and has a sales turnover of $1.143 billion (2007)[1][2]. Motorola's largest manufacturing facility worldwide is in Arad, in Israel[5].
Motorola - an arm of the IDF
From those early days Motorola has acted as the technology arm of the IDF, helping Israel carry out its repressive policies towards the Palestinians. In return Motorola profits handsomely from selling the products developed for suppressing the Palestinians to a worldwide market - the 'war on terror' is big business. For example Motorola's security radar/camera system used in the settlements and apartheid wall is being considered by the US for deployment on the Mexican border[6], and the Motorola mobile data terminals developed for the IDF and advertised as "ideally suited" for military and homeland security have been sold to the Serbian Ministry of Interior and Police Force[7].
Motorola supports the IDF in three key areas - weapon components (bomb fuses), military communications systems, and military surveillance systems.
Bomb Fuses
According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense: "Motorola Israel is the leading Israeli company in developing and manufacturing a wide range of electronic fuzes for aircraft bombs and guided munitions. Motorola Israel is considered to be the fuzing systems house for the Israeli Airforce and for major Israeli defense industries like IAI, IMI and Rafael for a wide range of projects."[4]
These fuses are the key components of bombs which determine how they detonate. One of the bomb fuses Motorola produces is the 980 Low Altitude Proximity Fuse for the MK-80 series of high explosive bombs[36]. On July 30 2006, during its attack on Lebanon, the Israeli Air Force dropped an MK-84 high-explosive bomb, the largest of the MK-80 series of weapons, on an apartment building in Qana, Lebanon, killing at least twenty-eight civilians most of whom were children. Israel receives its MK-84 bomb bodies from the US and then fits its own kits to adapt it for different uses. The kits include gps, guidance and fuse components. After its successful brutal attack on Qana, Israel in April 2007 asked the US for 3,500 more MK-84 bomb bodies[13]. And in the attack on Gaza in 2009 it made "unprecedented" use of the 1 ton MK-84 bomb in destroying building and tunnels along the Gaza-Sina border[14].
In 2009, in the aftermath of 'Operation Caste Lead' Human Rights Watch whilst searching the debris of a civilian target in Gaza found missile components with Motorola serial numbers[9][8]. It is believed these missiles were launched by drones - Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)[8]. Its known that Motorola works very closely with Aeronautics Defense Systems which produces Israels UAVs. Motorola provides the microprocessors for the UAVs and its bomb fuzes. In fact the relationship is so close that on April 1, 2009 Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems formally bought out the bomb fuze unit of Motorola for $20 million[10].
Military Comms
Motorola's "Mountain Rose" transportable
unit invades Lebanon, 2006
In July 2000 Motorola sold the IDF a sophisticated military encrypted voice & data communications system ( GSM-900 military cellular network) code named "Mountain Rose". The contract was worth $100 million[11], and the system went operational in 2004. This is a key component in helping Israeli occupation forces control and subdue the Palestinian population and carry out its military operations in Palestinian territories. "Mountain Rose" formed the crucial tier in Israel's secured communications network during its attack on Lebanon in 2006[15]. Its transportable sites, which deploy with the military units, extend its coverage in to the battle zone providing effective connectivity and communications for the operating forces[16][36].
Recently Motorola Israel president Elisha Yanai urged Israel set up a new wireless national emergency communications network for use by the security forces in the event of a missile attack on Israel. Israel's Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon is considering the proposal.[3]
Military Surveillance
Motorola helps Israel realise its goals of colonization and occupation of Palestinian land by providing various Wide Area Surveillance Systems (WAAS) to "protect" its conquests - the illegal settlements and provide security for the apartheid wall and military installations[6][35]. One such system, the Stronghold, was jointly developed with Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems[32]. The $158 million Motorola systems, based on an array of advanced radar systems and thermal cameras, was first deployed in the settlement of Har Bracha, near Nabulus, in May 2005. In the next 16 months such systems were deployed in a total of 47 settlements, with Hebron next on the list (2006)[6][36].
Har Bracha was established as a military outpost, and later in 1983 turned in to a 'residential' settlement. In May 2005, it became the first settlement to receive the Motorola advanced radar thermal camera security system. Since then 47 settlements are 'protected' my Motorola.
The radar array can detect Palestinians up to 700m from the settlement (10 minutes away), the thermal cameras automatically homes in on and following their every move until an IDF unit arrives. The meter-by-meter radar stations are erected on additionally confiscated Palestinian land outside of the settlement perimeter for which the IDF "received the Justice Ministry's approval to build them there", many settlements have over 30 radar stations[6]. Motorola tailors each system to meet the specific needs of the settlement, the Hebron deployment features a newly created laser-radar system[6]. Motorola's MotoEagle Surveillance system is currently installed in some 16 settlements, mostly in the occupied Jordan Valley[31].
Afcon Industries
Motorola has a 9% stake in Israeli company Afcon Industries[22] which supplies the metal detector security systems used at illegal Israeli military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and crossings to Gaza[20][21]. In December 2008 Afcon won a contract to supply the security system for the Jerusalem Light Rail Transport system which is built on stolen Palestinian land, connecting west Jerusalem to illegal Jewish settlements in occupied east Jerusalem thereby directly helping Israeli annexation of the territory of east Jerusalem[23].
9% Motorola owned Afcon Industries, provides the security system used at illegal Israeli check points on the West Bank and Gaza
MIRS (Motorola Integrated Radio Services)
A sharpshooter's 'graduation' T-shirt
from the Givati Brigade shows a
pregnant Palestinian woman with
a bull's-eye superimposed on her
belly, with the slogan, in
English, "1 shot, 2 kills."
Motorola supports a 'Givati' group
raising funds for the IDF.
MIRS Communications Ltd (Motorola Integrated Radio Services), a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola Israel Ltd.[1], is Israel's fourth largest cellular phone network company. MIRS operates in the northern West Bank, without a license from the Palestinian Authority, in defiance of 1995 Oslo agreements[24]. With Motorola's close links to the IDF, MIRS has even by-passed Israel's own expensive permits from the Ministry of Environment by placing one-third of its transmission antennas (about 200) on Israel Defense Force bases which are beyond the law[25]. In return MIRS provides exclusive cellular phone services to the Israeli army and offers special rates for service personnel and their family members. It also has at least 86 more antennas in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories[30], moreover, in 2000 it offered special cellular phone package designed for Israeli settlers[29]. MIRS also supports Beit Kobi[27], an organisation founded in memory of an IDF war criminal of the Givati Brigade killed whilst invading Gaza in 2002. Beit Kobi is officially certified by the IDF to raise money for the Israel Defense Force[28]. MIRS contributes among other resources, its communications services to support Beit Kobi[27]. With the huge cost of upgrading to 3G, Motorola has recently indicated that it wishes to sell its MIRS subsidiary[26].
Other Israeli Subsidiaries
Beeper Communications Israel Ltd, a subsidiary of Motorola, has been the leading paging operator in Israel since 1988. Its client list leads withs "The IDF, the Israel Police.. various security organizations" who "utilize Beeper's broadcast messaging services on a large scale.", its also "ranked as 'Excellent Supplier' by the Israeli Defense Ministry."[34]
Another Israeli subsidiary of Motorola is the software house Taldor Communications Ltd (49% owned by Motorola Israel). According to the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Taldor Communications 'core business' includes 'defense applications'.[33].
Motorola - Apartheid history
Motorola had an equally tarnished record during apartheid in South Africa when it supplied communications equipment (two-way radios) to the South African police and army helping their suppression of black people. In that instance it was only when the divestment movement in the US finally forced New York City to pass an ordinance prohibiting US companies from bidding on city contracts if they sell equipment to South African agencies that enforce the apartheid system that in 1985 Motorola sold of its South African operation so that its US contracts would not be jeopardized (it sold the same radio transmitters to the NY police force)[12].
Motorola by helping Israel maintain its illegal wall is in breach of the International Court of Justice ruling of July 2004 which declared the wall a violation of international law, and Motorola by helping protect the settlements and support the checkpoints with its security systems is aiding and abetting Israel break the Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 49, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into occupied territories.
Action Resources:
Many boycott groups have launched campaigns against Motorola[37], prominent amongst them:
- US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
Hang Up On Motorola Campaign Home
http://www.hanguponmotorola.org
- New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel
Goodbye Moto Campaign Home
http://boycottisraelnyc.org/goodbye-moto-home
Demonstrators gather outside Motorola offices, kicking off the New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel (NYCBI) launch of a city-wide boycott of Motorola.
Additional Information & References:
Dun's 100 - Israel's Largest Enterprises 2008 profile : Motorola Israel Ltd. "Motorola Israel Ltd. was established in 1964 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola Inc., a US-based multinational electronics corporation with a 2007 sales turnover of $36.6 billion.. In 2007 the total sales of Motorola Israel stood at $1.143 billion of which $544.616 million were exports." | |
MATIMOP (executive agency of the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of Israel) profile on Motorola MOTOROLA ISRAEL LTD. | |
Motorola Israel head suggests gov't set up emergency telecom network, by Gad Perez, 27 Jul 09 "Motorola Israel president Elisha Yanai recently met Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon and raised the idea of building a national emergency communications network. Yanai said that such a network was essential in view of the lessons of past wars.. The importance of establishing a national emergency communications network is underscored by concerns about damage to infrastructures in the event of a missile attack on Israel.. Yanai presented the concept of a WiMAX-based network capable of providing wireless broadband communications for use by security forces during an emergency. Kahlon agreed to review the matter, and discuss with the Ministry of Communications' professional echelons." | |
Israel Defense Sales Directory 2009-10 "Motorola Israel is the leading Israeli company in developing and manufacturing a wide range of electronic fuzes for aircraft bombs and guided munitions. Motorola Israel is considered to be the fuzing systems house for the Israeli Airforce and for major Israeli defense industries like IAI, IMI and Rafael for a wide range of projects." | |
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General - Atlanta, Georgia Mike Zafirovski, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Motorola Inc. addressed the subject of "Investment of International Conglomerates in Israel – Motorola As a Success Story" at the Israeli Prime Minister's Conference held on November 20, 2003. Zafirovski began with the history of Motorola in Israel that began before 1948. In 1948 Motorola began supplying communications equipment to the government. Total sales at this time were $125 million. In 1960, Motorola began producing communications equipment in Israel and Motorola Israel Ltd. was created. In 1972, Motorola Israel became a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola Inc., and in 1979 Motorola opened its first development center in Israel. It was during these pioneering days that many strong relationships grew out of a mutual trust and a shared vision for a better future. At the beginning of the 1980's Motorola products made in Israel began to penetrate the US market. In the mid-1980's cellular infrastructure was added when Israel, Bezeq and Motorola created Pelephone, one of the first cellular operations in the world. 1988 saw the opening of the Motorola plant in Arad that launched major projects including: integrated solutions for United Parcel Services (UPS) and large nationwide mobile communications systems. Today Motorola Inc. is a $27 billion company. Motorola' activities in Israel have grown 5 times the size of it's activities in 1948. About $450 million of Motorola Israel's sales are exports. Motorola's investment in Israel "is one of the most successful we have made" according to Zafirovski. Motorola Israel has developed a superb managerial backbone and continues to engage first-rate employees. Today it employs 4,000 people, 50% of whom are engineers and academics with 100,000 staff years of accumulated development experience. Highlights of Motorola Israel's achievements include: · Being an essential player in allowing Motorola to supply over $1 billion worth of products to its strategic UPS account · Data products from Motorola Israel go to all leading courier companies in the world including: FedEx, UPS, Deutsche Post and more Zafirovski also had praise for the Israeli government's pro-business policies. He stated that the government had been a good partner, willing to listen to companies like Motorola and their commercial ideas and helping them to become a reality. The government also provides incentives for investment and an overall tax structure that was and continues to be competitive. While costs of engineers in the developing world continue to be low, Zafirovski believes that Israel has other qualities that with the help of the government can offset cheaper competitors in China, India etc. Zafirovski noted that all his favorable comments were based on Motorola's actual experience. These include Motorola's largest manufacturing facility worldwide which is located in Arad, how the cycle time to market had been shortened by a big margin in Israel and the development of unique products in Israel such as the MW-800 for police organizations worldwide. (Speech notes – 20/11/03) Source: http://atlanta.mfa.gov.il/mfm/Web/main/document.asp?documentid=55238 | |
Motorola supporting illegal settlements: "Headed by Lt.-Col. Roni Yitah, the administration [IDF Home Front Command] has to date created highly advanced security systems in 47 settlements, mostly isolated and far away from the Green Line. The systems used until now are based on an array of advanced radar systems, created by Motorola, and operate together with thermal cameras. The radar systems are set up around the settlements to detect Palestinians attempting to infiltrate the communities. The thermal cameras automatically home in on the intruder, whom they follow until an IDF or local security team arrives at the scene. According to Yitah, in areas where the system has been installed the IDF has reduced its presence by 50 percent due to the drop in the infiltration threat." US deploying on Mexican border: "The project was recently inspected by the United States government, which is considering using the Motorola-developed radar to secure the Mexican border." "In most cases, the meter-by-meter radar stations were erected on Palestinian land and Yitah received the Justice Ministry's approval to build them there."
"..a new NIS 400 million allocation for security systems at settlements.. would be part of a second phase hi-tech settlement security project carried out by the IDF; NIS 300m. was spent on phase one over the past year and a half." (* based on June 2006 conversion rate of 1 NIS = US $0.225, NIS 700 million = US $157.7 million) Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154526030992&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull | |
Serbia Selects Motorola for Nationwide Mission Critical Communications "Motorola today announced it has begun the deployment of a nationwide TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) network for the Serbian Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the Police Force.. The Motorola Dimetra IP system was chosen for its secure, flexible communications options giving users the ability to stay in touch using voice or data. 120 of Motorola's MW800 mobile data terminals will be deployed, enabling users to access or log important information in the field, helping decisions to be made quickly in mission critical situations. The command and control center can also dispatch both voice and data commands to more than 4,500 mobile and handheld terminals." Motorola Mobile Data Terminals "Motorola continues its successful legacy of rugged, high-performance, well-connected computers with the Mobile Workstation 800 (MW 800). Ideally suited for the public safety, homeland security, military.." | |
Human Rights Watch - Report: Gaza Civilians Killed by Israeli Drone-Launched Missiles, 30 June 2009 "Some missile debris and missile components that Human Rights Watch found contained labels from Motorola, based in the United States, and MCB Industrie of France." | |
Remote Control Death, By Marc Garlasco* & Darryl Li, March 20, 2009 "Little wonder, then, that drones were the IDF's weapon of choice when Israel launched its military campaign on December 27 with an attack on the Gaza City police headquarters, which killed at least forty cadets during a police academy graduation ceremony. According to the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, the proposal to attack this event was hotly debated within the IDF for months. IDF lawyers knew that these policemen were presumptively civilians under international law, which would consider them legitimate targets only if they were directly participating in hostilities against Israel. At the site of this attack Human Rights Watch researchers found hundreds of perfectly cubic pieces of metal shrapnel, circuit boards and other parts (including some marked with Motorola serial numbers), and four small impact craters--all consistent with drone-fired missiles." * Marc Garlasco is a senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch | |
Defense co Aeronautics buys Motorola fuses unit, 01/04/2009 Sources inform ''Globes'' that Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd. has acquired Motorola Israel Ltd. unit Government Electronics Department (GED) for $20 million. The deal is expected to be signed today. Tel Aviv-based GED developments and manufacturers electronic fuses for the defense industry.. primary customer is Israel Military Industries Ltd. | |
We were here first "Motorola Israel, which was set up when the State of Israel was founded in 1948, is proud of the fact that it was the first non-North American branch of the communications giant, and that Motorola was one of the few companies to defy the Arab boycott by establishing an Israeli subsidiary." "The first is the Vered Harim (Mountain Rose) GSM-900 military cellular network, estimated at $100 million. In this project, Motorola provided the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)with a TETRA-based encoded mobile communications system, adapted specially to the IDF's needs." | |
Motorola Sells Subsidiary in South Africa - Radio Equipment Unit Supplied Police, Army "Motorola Inc., which has been strongly criticized by anti-apartheid campaigners in the United States for operating in South Africa and providing the police and army here with radio equipment, has sold its local subsidiary to a South African firm."
"The divestment movement also appears to be having an economic impact. To comply with the New York City law generally barring contracts with companies selling to the South African police and military, Motorola said last month it would no longer sell radio systems to the South African police.. Motorola [is] a major supplier of radio systems to the police departments of New York City and other major cities.."
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Israel Requests 3,500 Mk84 Bombs, 24-Apr-2007 "The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of Israel's request for 3,500 MK-84 general purpose bomb units, which are 2,000 pound bomb bodies. The Mk84 versions Israel is requesting would carry about 945 pounds of tritonal (about 80% TNT/ 20% aluminum) explosives, as opposed to using H-6. Mk80 family weapons can be fitted with a number of kits to give them laser guidance, GPS/INS guidance, extended range, and/or other capabilities as required; the Israelis have created kits of their own for such purposes, including the Spice GPS/laser guided weapon. The total value of this contract, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $65 million." | |
In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear, Barbara Opall-Rome, 5 January 2009 "A week into Israel's Operation Cast Lead.. the Israel Air Force made unprecedented, coordinated use of the one-ton Mk84 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) to attack buildings and tunnels along the Gaza-Sinai border, as well as dropping the 500-pound variant against underground bunkers." | |
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict, By Maj Gen GD Bakshi, Indian Defense Review Issue: Vol 22.1 (April 2007) The Israelis used a secured, three tired communication network. This included: | |
Mountain Rose IDF Mobile Communications Network (TETRA) "Unlike other commercial cellular networks which rely mainly on fixed sites, Motorola's solution uses fixed and transportable sites, which deploy with the military units, positioned at vantage points where they provide optimal coverage and redundancy to maintain effective connectivity and communications capacity for the operating forces." Emblaze provided the video for Mountain Rose: "For the first time Israeli commanders can utilize highly secure communications on the move, anywhere they operate. The system also support data transfer. Currently transfer of images and messages is facilitated with planned enhancements including video services. Data support of up to 28.8 kbps is currently available to support forces deployed throughout the theater of operation. This bandwidth is sufficient to transfer live video, utilizing compressed video transfer services provided by Visual Defense (Emblaze) systems.systems." | |
Motorola may quit mobile phone market, by Andrew Clark, 1 February 2008 "Motorola has been losing market share; it slipped from second to third place in the world last year, behind Samsung and the industry leader, Nokia.. Motorola's profits slumped by 84% to $100m (£50m) in the final quarter of 2007.. Motorola's mobile phones division accounts for about half of its $36bn global sales. But its 12% share of the phones market is just half of its level at the peak of the Razr's success in 2006." | |
Worldwide Mobile Terminal Sales to End Users in 1Q 2009 Motorola Mobile Sales: 16,587,300 Market Share: 6.2% (1Q 2009) | |
Jubilee Awards According to the Virtual Israel website on October 14, 1998, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu presented a select group of international business people with the highest tribute ever awarded by the "State of Israel". The Jubilee Award, marking Israel's fiftieth year of independence, recognizes those individuals and organizations, that through their investments and trade relationships, have done the most to strengthen the Israeli economy. The award list: .. (* Motorola's CEO until Sep 2003 when he retired, also Motorola founders grandson) Source: http://www.inminds.co.uk/boycott-jubilee-awards.html | |
Who Profits - Afcon "Afcon Control and Automation has supplied CEIA metal detectors to Israeli military checkpoints such as the Hebron Machpela Cave Checkpoint, the Beit Iba checkpoint and the Erez Terminal in Gaza, and to checkpoints in the occupied Jordan Valley." Source: http://www.whoprofits.org/Company%20Info.php?id=569 | |
AFCON Metal Detection Gates (from CEIA ) ..configurations can be purchased with visual monitors for indicating suspicious objects, people counting system and desk for placing personal items.. 99 detection programs are adapted to different metal types, 100 sensitivity levels, 10 variable detection speed channels, 100 transmission frequencies, 100 transmission programs, 10 warning intensity levels, identical detection capability at all heights, high detection speed of 15 m/sec. High resolution capability between different metal types and masses, automatic system calibration while learning the environmental conditions test programs for diagnostics and troubleshooting, environment noise and installation quality.. Bar-graph visual indication of the object size and ability to control the detection sensitivity on different parts and regions of the gate.. The audio and visual warning is adjustable. Monitor units can be installed on top of the gates or remote secondary monitor units enable audio and visual display.. | |
Afcon Industries Group - Our Activities "Motorola holds a stake of about 9% in the Group. This strategic partnership with Motorola enables AFCON to penetrate global markets and develop new opportunities based on technological synergy." | |
Afcon Industries Group - Breaking News "AFCON Control & Automation, a subsiduary of AFCON Industries, won a large project for the supply of the security system for the Jerusalem Light Rail Transport system." | |
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Motorola (MIRS): "The company also is a majority investor in one of Israel's four cell phone companies. The investment is controversial because the cell phone companies, according to the Oslo Agreement of 1995, must be licensed by the Palestinian Authority to operate in the West Bank and Gaza. This is not followed as the companies place their equipment in Israeli settlements with sufficient capacity to cover every Palestinian community. Without regulation, the companies have undercut prices and threatened the ability of the Palestinian cell phone company to survive. They also take advantage of the Israeli government policy of delaying or prohibiting the importation of modern equipment into Palestine. In addition, such practices evade taxes (estimated at over $40 million) that could help the Palestinian Authority develop its economy, and deprive Palestinian operators of revenue (estimated at over $500 million). The lost taxes and revenue go into the Israeli economy, and probably into the settlements through fees for placing equipment and discounts for cell phone service." | |
Wireless companies using IDF bases to skirt antenna regulations "About 200, or one-third, of the Mirs cellular phone provider's transmission antennas are located on Israel Defense Forces bases, obviating the need for permits and strict radiation monitoring.. In recent weeks the IDF has agreed to heighten the network's reception by installing mobile antennas on army bases. An agreement to that end was signed between Mirs and the IDF about a year ago.. The arrangement allows Mirs to avoid paying permit and land betterment fees. The latter can cost thousands of shekels per site.." | |
Motorola Looking to Sell Israeli Mobile Network Subsidiary "It is being reported that Shamrock Holdings, the investment arm of Walt Disney Co. is looking to buy a stake in Israeli mobile network operator, MIRS Communications. The Israeli business newspaper, Globes reported that Shamrock Holdings is in preliminary talks with Motorola, who own MIRS.. According to figures from the Mobile World database, the company ended last year with an estimated 441,000 subscribers - representing a market share of just under 5%." | |
Dun's 100 - Israel's Largest Enterprises 2008 profile : MIRS "MIRS was established in 1994 and is a fully-owned subsidiary of Motorola Israel." "MIRS supports Beit Kobi – a non-profit organization supporting the army, immigration, and society. Beit Kobi aids immigrant soldiers who have no family in Israel through direct professional assistance. MIRS provides additional support to these soldiers through a network of its active employee volunteers. MIRS contributes, upon request, walky-talky communication services to large-scale social projects for various | |
About Beit Kobi Beit Kobi is a non-profit organization founded in July 2002 in memory of Staff Sgt. Kobi Ichelbom, who was killed in military action in Nezarim, in the Gaza Strip. Kobi was an outstanding IDF soldier and commander in the Givati Brigade.. Beit Kobi set a goal to act according to the spirit of the unwritten will left by Kobi as a soldier and commander: to support and help soldiers in need. Thanks to the organization's activities, Kobi's big heart continues to beat among tens of volunteers, and warms the hearts of thousands of lone soldiers in Israel. Beit Kobi is a civilian organization certified by the IDF in a legal document, to provide assistance to lone soldiers and to hold value related workshops for officers and commanders in the IDF. | |
Who Profits - MIRS Communications MIRS Communications Provider of cellular communication services. The company is the exclusive provider of cellular phone services to the Israeli army (since 2005 and at least until 2011), this includes the infrastructure set for use throughout the occupied territories. There are reports of the company having at least 200 antennae set inside military bases, and it has about 70 more in Israeli civilian settlements in the occupied territories. Moreover, during the year 2000, the company offered a special cellular phone package designed for Israeli settlers living in Gaza and the West Bank. | |
The Cellular Companies and the Occupation, Aug 2009 Currently there are four Israeli cellular communication service providers: Cellcom, Partner (Orange), Pelephone and MIRS.. MIRS holds at least 86 antennas and communication facilities on occupied territory, Cellcom at least 191, Pelephone 195 and Partner 165. As a survey by Yesh Din reveals, many of these antennas and communication facilities were erected on confiscated privately owned Palestinian land. Often, these devices are guarded by Israeli guards, and at least in one occasion, they were used as seeds for a new settlement outpost. Using this infrastructure, the companies provide services to Israelis in these areas, both to the settlements and to the Israeli soldiers operating in the occupied West Bank. All four, Cellcom, Partner, MIRS and Pelephone, operate service stores in West Bank settlements. Additionally, MIRS is the exclusive provider of cellular phone services to the Israeli army (since 2005 and at least until 2011). This company installs communication units in army vehicles and it builds communication facilities in army bases throughout the West Bank and Golan Heights. The company also offers special rates for service personnel and their family members. | |
Who Profits - Motorola "[Motorola] has developed with Aeronautics Defense Systems a radar perimeter defense system (the Stronghold). Since 2005, a Motorola radar detectors' system (WASS) has been installed in some 20-47 Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in Hebron, Karmei Tzur and Har Bracha. In some cases, the radar stations were erected on private Palestinian land, preventing Palestinian movement near the Israeli settlements. A similar system, called MotoEagle Surveillance, is still being offered to Israeli installations in the occupied territories, and it is currently installed in some 16 settlements, mostly in the occupied Jordan Valley." | |
STRONGHOLD The Stronghold, a revolutionary new perimeter security system, has been jointly developed by Motorola and Aeronautics Defense Systems. Stronghold main features: * Deploys an impenetrable Virtual Radar Fence that detects any intruder within 300 m range from the perimeter of the protected site. Stronghold brochure: | |
Taldor - About: "Taldor Communications Ltd.: A strategic partnership between Taldor (51%) and Motorola Israel (49%). Taldor Communications is the Israeli leader for comprehensive end to end data communications and data security solutions. Taldor has extensive experience in WAN, LAN, VoIP, Contact Center and Network Security solutions. Since its establishment in 1982, the company has been involved in the design, integration, assimilation and maintenance of the most advanced data communications systems, for the transfer of Data, Voice, Video and implementation of Network Security."
Taldor acquired 51% of Motorola Israel Information Systems for $4 million, reflecting a company value of $8 million.. Motorola Israel Information Systems will change its name to Taldor Advanced Communications Systems.
"Core Business: Real-time monitoring and control systems.. defense applications." | |
About Beeper Communications Israel LTD. "Beeper Communications Israel, a Motorola affiliated company, has been the leading paging operator in Israel since 1988. The IDF, the Israel Police, "Magen David Adom", "Zaka", various security organizations, hospitals and many other key organizations, utilize Beeper's broadcast messaging services on a large scale. Beeper is certified as compliant with the rigorous ISO 9001:2000 standard and is ranked as "Excellent Supplier" by the Israeli Defense Ministry." | |
Motorola Israel offering radar-based fence alarm system, 2003-07-30 Motorola Israel has developed a radar-based warning fence that targets airports and military installations. Company representatives demonstrated the system a few weeks ago for senior Defense Ministry officials, who are currently considering the fence's possible uses. The innovative fence, which Motorola has dubbed Electronic Fence Radar System, or EFRS, is based on radar that scans between the fence posts.. The fence requires a miniature ground radar system, which Motorola developed over the past three years. The system can detect an object that penetrates the fence anywhere between ground level and five meters above the ground. It can warn against the infiltration of a person even if he is crawling, thus providing a response to methods developed by Hezbollah along Israel's northern border. The cost of installing the fence is about $30 per meter, compared to $100-120 per meter for an electric fence of the kind installed by the Defense Ministry along the northern border and around the Gaza Strip.. The whole system can be carried by an infantry soldier and can be used for protecting military bases, as an auxiliary measure for ambush forces, and for protecting airfields or planes parked outside their bases. Motorola is offering the radar system for about $40,000 per unit. | |
Israeli Ministry of Defense Catalogue of Motorola Products Motorola 'Mountain Rose' / WAAS Israel Defense Sales Directory 2009-10 - Motorola Israel Ltd Motorola Munitions Fuzes Motorola Fuzes for Aerial Munitions Motorola WAAS Motorola Fuzes Motorola WAAS/ Rose Motorola Government Electronics Department | |
New Yorkers call for boycott of Motorola over dealings with IDF Protesters in the New York borough of Queens held a rally last week to call for a boycott of Motorola over the firm's business dealings with the Israel Defense Forces. At the demonstration, which was organized by the New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, protestors waved Palestinian flags and signs saying: "Goodbye Moto, Goodbye Apartheid," and "Boycott Motorola, Free Palestine." The group also wrote songs and conducted street theater to draw the attention of passersby. The organization's spokesperson, Aaron Levitt, told Haaretz this week that over 300 people have signed a petition for a boycott of Motorola after just four events in New York City. "Every time we go out to flyer, we meet many people who express support for the campaign and even sign our pledge to boycott Motorola," said Levitt. His organization has more events planned for the coming month. In June 2007, the New England United Methodist Church named Motorola as one of a number of firms that supported Israel's occupation of the West Bank. Who Profits, a project of the Coalition of Women for Peace, also lists the company as profiting from Israel's activities in the Palestinian territories. Motorola has been active in Israel since 1964; it currently provides the IDF with a cellular network through a subsidiary, MIRS. MIRS provided the IDF with a military-encrypted cellular communication system, nicknamed "Mountain Rose," which is worth $100 million and was especially constructed for field conditions. The company's radar detectors' and surveillance systems have been reportedly installed in West Bank settlements. Both of these systems had a price tag of more than $90 million. The department responsible for installing these systems was sold in April 2009 to an Israeli company, Aeronautics Defense Systems, after Motorola had come under fire from several groups in the U.S. over its activities in Israel. Motorola spokesman Rusty Brashear said the sale of the unit was not triggered by the protests, but because "it primarily doesn't fit in our portfolio." The groups the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, the Palestinian National Committee and other organizations worldwide also support a boycott of the phone company. Motorola was previously boycotted due to its support for the apartheid regime in South Africa. The company supplied South African police with mobile radio transmitters used to suppress demonstrations against the government. |
