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Naftali Bennett disclosed the operation during his 2021-2022 term at a June 23 policy summit in Jerusalem. The receivers aimed to maintain internet access for anti-government protesters. Bennett also described plans to undermine Iran's government if returned to office.
Al JazeeraIsrael smuggled tens of thousands of Starlink internet receivers into Iran during Naftali Bennett's term as prime minister from 2021 to 2022. Bennett made the disclosure on June 23 at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem. He said the devices were acquired and smuggled to allow continuity of the internet and social networks inside Iran.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is not licensed to operate in Iran. Bennett stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government stopped the smuggling operation. He added that the infrastructure was not present when protests occurred.
Iranian authorities shut down public internet access during nationwide protests in January and throughout the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran that began at the end of February. Reuters has previously reported that some Iranians turned to Starlink during internet blackouts.
Bennett said that if he returned to office he would work to undermine Iran's government through measures including economic and industrial sabotage short of direct military attacks. An election in Israel is due by October. Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to questions on Bennett’s remarks.
SpaceX was not available for comment outside U.S. business hours.
Nbc NewsPresident Trump canceled the scheduled signing ceremony for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Package on Wednesday morning. He stated the event would occur only after Congress passes the SAVE America Act. The bill had cleared both chambers with large bipartisan margins.
Abc NewsU.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper barred most provisions of President Donald Trump's first election executive order. The order required proof of citizenship for voter registration and restricted late-arriving mail ballots.
dutchnews.nlThe Trump administration reached a settlement with Chemours Co. requiring a $22.5 million penalty and at least $427.5 million in mitigation measures. The agreement covers illegal releases at facilities in West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey.