How Israel tests weapons in Gaza, then sells them abroad | Antony Loewenstein | The Big Picture S4E2

In this episode of The Big Picture Podcast, we sit down with investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein to talk about how for decades, Israel used its occupation of Palestinians as a testing ground for new weaponry, which it then packages and sells to governments around the world. In fact, Loewenstein argues that since its inception, Israel built its economy around military and surveillance technology, exporting it to some of the world’s most repressive regimes including Myanmar, Pinochet’s Chile and apartheid South Africa. As the devastating war in Gaza wages on, Israeli defence contractors have already begun advertising drones, hightech firearms and robot dogs battle-tested in the field and ready to be sent abroad. #TheBigPicture is produced and presented by Mohamed Hassan. It’s a weekly show about the big ideas that shape our past, present and future. Subscribe and listen to The Big Picture on all podcast platforms: Timeline: 00:00 - Intro 2:09 - How Israel became a weapons research hub for the West 7:04 - How Israel armed oppressive regimes 9:31 - Israel’s relationship with partheid South Africa 12:15 - The Palestine Laboratory: Testing weapons on occupied subjects 15:52 - Battle testing new weapons in Gaza since 7 October 19:14 - Top Gun & Hollywood military propaganda 22:45 - Gaza news footage used to sell Israeli arms 30:57 - Surveillance technology in hot demand 35:22 - Israel as the ‘border of Europe’ 41:46 - The farright’s obsession with Israel 49:48 - India’s Hindu nationalism modelled on Zionism 55:00 - What has changed since 7 October 1:03:59 - Outro Middle East Eye Website: Follow us on TikTok: @middleeasteye Follow us on Instagram: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: