Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that “Your mobile phones, your medicines, your food… many of these are actually part of Israel” has sparked a noteworthy debate in the international public sphere.[i] These words go beyond being a political claim and raise issues of global technology dependencies, control of data flows, and debates on digital sovereignty. Nowadays, technological products are not just comprised of hardware and software; the mechanisms behind these products for data collection, processing, and routing directly affect the power relations of states and international competition. In this context, Israel’s role in the technology ecosystem is not only an economic contribution but also part of its global power projection.
Netanyahu’s remarks gain relevance, particularly when considering the production chains of smartphones and digital devices. Currently, these devices are manufactured with contributions from numerous countries, encompassing everything from processors to sensors, display panels to software frameworks. While Israel may not be prominently featured in the direct installation or final production stages of the global technology system, it holds a significant position as an influential actor in high-value-added sectors. For example, Intel’s R&D centers in Israel have played critical roles in the development of processor architectures; significant segments of the chip technologies used in mobile devices have been shaped in these centers. Therefore, it is not possible to limit the term “made in Israel” to manufacturing alone; Israel’s influence is growing in invisible but strategically important layers such as software, algorithm development, data analytics, and security systems.[ii]
Another dimension of Israel’s role in the digital ecosystem can be seen through software and applications used on a global scale. The example of Moovit is a concrete illustration of that. This public transportation application, which is based in Israel, collects users’ movement data, location information, and daily life practices in a large data repository.[iii] The fact that this application is preferred by millions of people worldwide brings with it a strategic data flow that goes beyond an ordinary digital service. While such applications provide convenience to users, they also offer significant surveillance and control potential for governments and companies. The European Union’s recognition of Israel as a “safe data country” has facilitated the transfer of EU citizens’ data to Israel, making Israel not only a technology producer but also one of the centers of global data flows.[iv]
Narrowing Israel’s influence in the field of technology down to just the devices and applications currently available would be insufficient to comprehend the whole picture. For many years, Israel has defined itself as a “start-up nation” and has used this image as a strategic tool internationally.[v] Startups developing in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and financial technologies have not only generated revenue for the Israeli economy but have also increased the country’s visibility in international politics. Some of these initiatives have been directly acquired by global technology giants and integrated into the international market. This process has further strengthened Israel’s role in the global technology network. Hence, the concept of “made in Israel” should be understood not only in terms of products or applications, but also in terms of global capital and corporate networks.
In this regard, the field of cybersecurity is of particular importance. As a country that channels its military and strategic expertise into the private sector, Israel is hosting some of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies. However, some of these companies have been the subject of serious controversy, as seen in the case of the Pegasus spyware developed by NSO Group.[vi] The utilization of Pegasus to infiltrate the phones of individuals ranging from journalists to politicians has brought to light not only the economic but also the political and ethical dimensions of Israel’s technology exports. This example demonstrates that the dependency relationship mentioned by Netanyahu has created impacts across a wide spectrum, from individual privacy to the dynamics of international relations.
When considered within the context of global dependency theories, technology should be defined not merely by means of production but also by structures that control the flow of information and data. Although dependency theory is generally based on the economic exploitation of underdeveloped countries by developed countries, today this form of exploitation is being reproduced through digitalization. Data is seen as the new petroleum of our age; who can collect, process, and manipulate this data determines the international balance of power. Israel has become an active player in these new dependency relationships thanks to its technological initiatives, data analytics infrastructure, and cybersecurity capabilities. This situation raises questions about the digital sovereignty not only of users but also of states.
These developments should also be carefully analyzed from the perspective of Türkiye and other countries in the region. On one hand, Israeli-sourced technologies are widely used in daily life, while on the other hand, there is insufficient awareness regarding the strategic consequences these technologies may entail. The strengthening of Türkiye’s discourse on domestic and national technology is not only an economic objective but also a concern of security and sovereignty. If the flow of data cannot be controlled, the privacy of individuals, the security of institutions, and the strategic capacity of the state become dependent on external factors. Consequently, possessing technology in the global power competition is not only a matter of prosperity but also of independence.[vii]
In the last analysis, Netanyahu’s provocative statement coincides with both symbolic and concrete realities. There are digital technologies and data flows, rather than natural resources, at the core of global dependencies. Israel is positioning itself as one of the rising actors of this new era and turning this situation into a tool of political discourse. In this context, it is necessary to evaluate the issue in light of international relations and dependency theories, instead of looking at it solely through the eyes of a consumer. Otherwise, technological dependencies will continue to deepen invisibly; the concept of “Israeli goods” will become not just a rhetoric, but an integral part of daily life.
Netanyahu’s statement can also be seen as a symbolic display of power. The phrase “Your phones are made in Israel” sends a direct message of dependence to global consumers, while also serving as a source of national pride for the Israeli public. What is remarkable here is that technological production has become not only an economic but also a political tool. Today, technology functions as one of the soft power elements of nation-states; possession of technological capacity generates deterrence and prestige in international relations. In this regard, this rhetoric emphasizing Israel’s technological superiority can be seen not only as a tool for the outside world but also as a means of legitimacy for domestic politics.
However, this situation is not limited to the discourse level. Actual dependency relationships must be understood in terms of who owns the data and how it is utilized. While smartphones, social media applications, public transportation software, and similar digital tools facilitate individuals’ daily lives, they also lead to the flow of personal and social data to specific centers. Israel’s role in this ecosystem emerges on a level that users are often unaware of. Thus, data ownership, which is a much more crucial area than hardware production, strengthens Israel’s strategic position in the global digital ecosystem. This constitutes the real dynamic that underpins Netanyahu’s narrative.
In conclusion, Netanyahu’s statement that “your phones are Israeli-made” may seem like a provocative political statement on the surface, yet it is a significant indicator that brings issues such as global technology dependencies, data sovereignty debates, and digital security concerns to the forefront. Israel stands out as an influential power not necessarily in hardware production, but rather in areas such as data collection, software development, and algorithmic control. This situation reignites discussions about independence and privacy on a global scale, leading states to develop their own technological infrastructure. Consequently, the issue is not merely which country owns a device, but rather who collects the information flowing through that device, how it is processed, and for what purposes it is used. From this perspective, Netanyahu’s statement reveals a new dimension of the power struggle in the global digital ecosystem.
[i] Mohammed Baleegh, “Anyone who holds a cell phone, owns a piece of Israel: Netanyahu”, The Siasat Today, https://www.siasat.com/anyone-who-holds-a-cell-phone-owns-a-piece-of-israel-netanyahu-3271723 (Access Date: 23.09.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “İsrail, Moovit uygulamasıyla her adımımızı izliyor!”, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qmh2hjjYems, (Access Date: 23.09.2025).
[iv] “Adequacy decisions”, European Commision, https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection/adequacy-decisions_en, (Access Date: 23.09.2025).
[v] Mateusz Kaczmarek, “From Startup Nation to Space Nation: Inside Israel’s Booming Satellite Industry”, Tech Space2.0., https://ts2.tech/en/from-startup-nation-to-space-nation-inside-israels-booming-satellite-industry, (Access Date: 23.09.2025).
[vi] Maggie Miller, “Israeli spyware giant NSO Group ordered to pay nearly $170M to WhatsApp for hacking accounts”, Politico, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/06/nso-group-pegasus-whatsapp-hack-170-million-damages-00332155, (Access Date: 23.09.2025).
[vii] “Cybersecurity concerns grow over Israeli tech in smartphones after Netanyahu remark”, Türkiye Today, https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/cybersecurity-concerns-grow-over-israeli-tech-in-smartphones-after-netanyahu-remark-3207212?utm_source=chatgpt.com, (Access Date: 23.09.2025).
