Project Nimbus Overview
Google, alongside Amazon, is a key contractor in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion agreement with the Israeli government to provide cloud computing infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), and related technology services. The contract, announced in 2021, explicitly includes the Israeli government, its defense establishment, and other agencies as beneficiaries. While Google has publicly stated that the contract is for civilian workloads—such as finance, healthcare, transportation, and education—it is contractually forbidden from denying service to any Israeli government entity, including the military.
Evidence of Direct Collaboration with the Israeli Military
Multiple investigative reports and leaked documents indicate that Google has worked directly with the Israeli military, particularly after the escalation of hostilities in Gaza in October 2023. Company documents obtained by major media outlets show that Google employees provided the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with access to advanced AI tools, sometimes racing to fulfill requests to prevent the military from turning to Amazon instead. In March 2024, Google billed the Israeli Ministry of Defense over $1 million for consulting services to expand its cloud access, aiming to allow “multiple units” to use automation technologies. This arrangement gives the Ministry of Defense its own secure “landing zone” within Google Cloud, enabling it to store data, process information, and access AI services.
Use of Technology in Military Operations
Reports indicate that the Israeli military has used AI-powered systems, such as “Lavender” and “The Gospel,” to select airstrike targets in Gaza at unprecedented speed and scale. While it is not always possible to determine if Google’s cloud infrastructure is directly used for these targeting systems, the nature of the services provided under Project Nimbus—cloud storage, AI, and machine learning—are the types of tools required for such operations. Furthermore, Google employees have expressed concern that the company has limited ability to monitor or control how sovereign customers like Israel use its cloud services.
Allegations and Accusations of Complicity
Numerous advocacy groups, human rights organizations, and even Google’s own employees have accused the company of complicity in what they describe as genocide or war crimes in Gaza, due to the enabling role of its technology. In December 2024, a submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur accused Google and Amazon of aiding and abetting genocide, unlawful occupation, and apartheid through Project Nimbus, alleging that the technology facilitates surveillance, targeting of civilians, and the confiscation of Palestinian land. Google has denied that its services are used for military or intelligence operations, but internal documents and investigative journalism contradict these public statements.
Summary Table: Google’s Involvement
| Aspect | Evidence/Status |
|---|---|
| Contract with Israel | $1.2B Project Nimbus with Israeli government and defense establishment |
| Direct military work | Documents show Google provided AI tools and consulting to Israeli Ministry of Defense |
| Type of tech supplied | Cloud computing, AI, machine learning, automation, secure data processing |
| Use in Gaza conflict | Technology believed to enable AI-driven targeting and surveillance in Gaza |
| Internal opposition | Google workers protested, some fired for anti-Nimbus activism |
| Accusations | Accused by NGOs, UN submissions, and employees of complicity in alleged genocide |
| Google’s response | Denies military/intelligence use, claims civilian focus, but evidence contradicts this |
Conclusion
There is substantial evidence that Google, through Project Nimbus, has provided cloud computing and AI services directly to the Israeli government, including the Ministry of Defense, during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These services are of the type that could enable or enhance military operations, including those widely condemned as causing mass civilian casualties. While Google officially denies involvement in military applications, internal documents and investigative reports suggest otherwise. As a result, Google has been widely accused by human rights organizations, advocacy groups, and its own employees of complicity in the alleged genocide in Gaza, due to the enabling role of its technology and its ongoing business relationship with the Israeli government and military.