With NSO, Cytrox, other companies, why do all commercial malware comes from Israel? Do Israelis hate freedom of press, journalists and human rights more than others?
While I think the Israelis have been more likely to be happy with this sort of state action, compared to many countries, I think one of the major reasons is that Israel is a massive hub for security companies and staff. Since the early success of Checkpoint creating a pool of money that went back in to Israeli tech companies they've been very big in the cybersecurity space- 1 in 3 of the big cyber companies are Israeli.
They also have a steady stream of IDF graduates from Unit 8200 [1] (and other bits of the IDF) who are young, smart and know each other as a cohort. You'll meet groups of them at lots of Israeli firms; and lots of older cohorts will have good networks across the sector because of this.
The possession of skills do not equity the possession of intent. While the US has massive cybersecurity capabilities, they do not cause journalists or human right activists to suffer because of it. So there is obviously something more into this equation why Israeli software firms make into the headlines constantly.
Personally I think living in a country that has been in a state of war for last 70 years makes you reassess your morality.
I'm not making a moral judgement on this, I'm just saying I understand why there are a lot of companies that create weapons in a country at war for most of its existence.
For someone in such position deciding "do I want to work on things that rip people to shreds, or would I rather work on surveillance software?" The surveillance software choice can be considered a lesser evil and potentially something that can save lives etc.
While I don't think Netanyahu was/is losing sleep over Pegasus and the like, I also mostly think it's the effect of Israel having a very well developed cyberwarfare capability. That sort of experience inevitably bleeds into the private sector, especially when it's as weakly regulated as the Israel tech sector.
Relatively simple: Israel has a mandatory military service if you're not one of the ultra-orthodox who are exempt, so there's a massive pipeline of young highly talented people of all directions to the government, and those who are good in IT end up being offered positions in Mossad and other agencies (or in the IDF themselves) - and once they retire from government service, the private sector has a huge supply of experienced people to hire. Not to mention they're all very well networked.
No other Western-aligned country has such a pipeline - the US has it partially, but wannabe-competitors have a harder time acquiring customers, as non-Americans have to deal with ITAR and other export controls.
I agree with the description, but it does make me wonder why we don't see this stuff out of South Korea as well. They also have similar compulsory military service, but seem to mostly be producing starcraft players, k-drama and pop stars.
Israel is in constant active fighting with its neighbours and only survives because they have extremely good SIGINT capabilities (remember Stuxnet?). In contrast, all South Korea has to fear is that a North Korea nuclear rocket test goes bad. That's a marked difference in attitude.
The comment above yours gives a real explanation, where OP posits a question whether Israelis "hate" freedom of expression. This isn't a good question or observation and is something I'd expect from a 9th grader. Of course israeli's don't hate freedom of expression. Who would answer "yes" to that? OP also suggests an answer with the question OP posits-an unsavory answer given the audience of HackerNews nonethless. OPs comment was not researched, obviously negatively biased, and doesn't even have a reasonable suggestive answer.
because they're extrapolating from a few spyware countries come from israel -> does every single israeli hate freedom of press, journalists and human rights. its a pretty bad faith argument and borderline racist
anyway Israel isn't the only one selling spyware software. There are a metric ton of sellers, operators, and people just selling zero-days to any bidder
the answer to their question is that Israel is a dense, highly educated country with a lot of expertise in computer security and other technology areas. VRED is a difficult and exciting area of work, and the pipeline from gaining these skills in the military and translating it to private industry is very real. it has nothing to do with freedom of the press, journalists, or human rights
If anything the opposite. There is a double meaning in my words. The stereotypical Israeli has strong opinions on almost everything. Freedom of thought goes hand in hand with freedom of the press and a general love of freedom. Otoh they feel that the international media is strongly biased against them and don't fairly report on the palestinian conflict. For example take a look at the resolutions passed by the UN Human Rights council. It's hard to come to any other conclusion other then it's been weaponised against israel.
Also bear in mind Israel crippling vulnerability to organised terror whose leaders cruelty know no limits and view every jew as a legitimate target. Especially in a freedom loving society this is intolerable so every step is considered in fighting this menace.
Cytrox is Macedonian with a presence in Israel. NSO is entirely based out of Israel (although owned by some private equity firm outside of the country after they were sanctioned).
