ALBAWABA - In a major development, Intel, a leading player in the processor industry, has advanced its efforts to establish a new $25 billion chip manufacturing facility in northern Israel. The collaboration between Intel and Israel was formalized through a joint announcement today.
Israel is poised to provide a substantial grant of $3.2 billion to Intel for the expansion of its Kiryat Gat facility, located 42 km away from Gaza. This significant investment, initially disclosed last June, aims to see the factory operational by 2027 and sustained until at least 2035. Alongside the grant, Intel commits to an increased tax rate, climbing from 5% to 7.5%.
Intel's move, spearheaded during CEO Pat Gelsinger's tenure, involves strategic investments on three continents to secure a competitive edge in state-of-the-art production. Notably, the investment in Israel emerges as Intel's most substantial undertaking. The facility currently employs a workforce of 11,700 individuals.
Given the widespread boycott embraced by most nations against Israeli products and those supporting Israel, the tech enthusiasts' reaction has been extensive, marked by staunch rejection of this move. They argue that such a stance would bolster Zionist support, contributing to the killing of children, the displacement of families from their homes, and various oppressive actions carried out by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people.
The recent substantial investment made by Intel in the Israeli occupation has stirred a strong reaction within the tech community, with notable figures, including Salah Hamed, owner of the 'Android Pasha' YouTube channel, expressing their concerns. Hamed remarked:
"While the tech sector faces limited alternatives, Intel's commitment to pouring staggering amounts into supporting the Zionist economy is an astonishing and noteworthy development. The allocation of 25 billion for establishing a processor facility in the occupied South of Palestine, potentially catering to the field of resistance missiles. Additionally, the production or design of new-generation processors under occupation adds another layer of complexity.
Hamed revealed his refusal to accept processors labeled with Zionist manufacturing, only to be surprised that even the commonly used Malaysian option bears the stamp 'Designed in Israel,' presenting an unexpected dilemma for users.
This has sparked a debate on the appropriate course of action. Hamed questions whether users should boycott Intel entirely and seeks advice on how others would navigate such a situation."
