While the initial flood has slowed down, users across the region are still encountering a significant number of Israeli profiles on dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble and Grindr. The large Zionist structure of colonial violence has many arms.
It employs anything it can to stifle Palestinian existence. Understandably, the sudden appearance of Israelis on dating apps in the MENA region raises suspicion about whether this is another attempt to infiltrate and collect data to feed the project further. Resulting fear reverberated throughout the region, as the Israeli occupation has a known track record of using spyware and rigorous surveillance, which has increased significantly in the region since Israel began its genocidal campaign on Gaza after the Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.
Pegasus β spyware made by Israel-based cybersecurity company NSO Group β has been used in the past to target the phones of activists, rights workers, and journalists. Despite different geographic realities and online access, these conversations reveal patterns about the occupation and militarization of Palestine.
In all, this case reflects the ability of Zionism to contort and manifest in digital and in-person spaces, and raises concerns about digital security and surveillance.
He attributed this to the surge of settlers from other areas like Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to seek academic or work opportunities. Explaining the significance of geographic location on Palestinian experience with the colonizer, Amr added:.
