Palestinian Teens Eye Robots, Israel Bombs Futures
Al-Monitor highlights Razan Shawar, 15, from Ramallah, dreaming of AI innovation at a Singapore robot festival. The article calls Ramallah the 'Israeli-occupied West Bank' but conveniently omits the systemic obstacles to Palestinian innovation, like blockades, movement restrictions, and constant military incursions. While Razan is building robots, the Israeli military has demolished 1,186
Palestinian structures in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2023 alone, according to OCHA data, impacting thousands. How does one innovate when their home can be razed at any moment? This 'humanizing' coverage only works if you ignore the daily dehumanization. The story sells a pleasant fantasy: Palestinian youth overcoming 'conflict' through sheer pluck. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's government, which
receives billions in US aid (Congress approved $14 billion more in April 2024, HR 815), ensures this 'occupation' is a permanent fixture. How many robot competitions can exist under a system designed to crush the very infrastructure of state-building, including education and technology?