This is Naked Capitalism’s fundraising week. So far, 422 donors have supported our mission to fight corruption and predatory practices, especially in the financial sector. We invite you to join our efforts through our donation page, which provides options for contributions via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal, Clover, or Wise. Discover more about the reasons for this fundraiser, our achievements over the past year, and our current goal of supporting our new Coffee Break/Sunday Movie features.
The Current Landscape
The world appears grim when figures like Tony Blair, a noted war criminal and profiteer, are seen as candidates for positions of influence, such as chairman of a “board of peace” for Gaza. Meanwhile, Larry Ellison, the second richest individual globally, takes control of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Both men, staunch Zionists and long-time business partners, seem intent on reshaping global dynamics in a way that many would find unsettling.
A Governance Structure Favoring Foreign Interests
Documents released by the British government reveal that during his tenure, Blair considered a plan that would allow Israel to annex five major West Bank settlement blocs, making them part of Israel. He also serves as an honorary patron for the UK branch of Israel’s Jewish National Fund, which promotes maps including occupied territories as integral to Israel.
Blair is poised to lead the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), a framework that positions affluent foreign executives at the top, relegating Palestinian leaders to subordinate roles. Liza Rozovsky reports for Haaretz:
Blair’s vision for governance in Gaza proposes a complex hierarchy where international diplomats and business figures wield the most power, while Palestinians are left with limited authority.
As reported by Haaretz, the document reveals that GITA will be overseen by an international board.
The chairperson will be Gaza’s chief political officer, working closely with the Palestinian Authority. It has been indicated, according to an Israeli government source, that this role may be held by Blair himself. Tony Blair’s draft Gaza plan obtained by Haaretz
The chair will oversee diplomatic relations with other nations, international organizations, and donors involved in Gaza, including strategic security discussions with key players such as Israel, Egypt, and the United States.
GITA will function under a UN Security Council mandate with extensive powers, including overseeing security coordination in Gaza and creating laws that dictate the daily lives of residents.
It remains uncertain whether Blair will assume the role of governor or prefer a more advisory position. However, it is evident that he will not be welcomed by a significant majority of Palestinians.
Indeed, he is not welcome. A senior Hamas official has labeled Tony Blair as an “unwelcome figure in Palestine.”
Control of the Narrative
Ellison’s acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. assets is equally contentious, particularly since he is the largest individual donor to the Israeli Defense Forces and one of six Jewish billionaires central to Israel’s wartime financing and tech advancements, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. As noted by Wikileaks , this takeover is about regaining narrative dominance, especially concerning Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza:
Ellison, a billionaire entrepreneur known for developing Oracle, already controls significant media assets, including CBS, Paramount, and Comedy Central. He is on track to finalize control over Warner Bros. Discovery, covering CNN, HBO, and other prominent outlets this year.
Even prior to the sale’s completion, TikTok has experienced severe censorship of content critical of Israel, as the platform aligns with its new ownership. Furthermore, Fox seeks to join the Ellison consortium, possibly tightening the Israeli-aligned information bubble.
Public disapproval of Israel’s actions in Gaza has surged, with surveys indicating around 60% of the U.S. populace now holds negative views, nearly double the approval ratings.
The U.S. still has over three years of Trump’s administration looming. There is a concerning concentration of power among Israeli-aligned billionaires in major tech firms, media, and more.
Israeli-Aligned Billionaires Take Control of TikTok: A Move for Narrative Supremacy
Ellison’s Ambitious Future Goals
However, it is the joint efforts of Ellison and Blair that warrant scrutiny, as these initiatives could profoundly impact all our lives. Ellison has pledged an astounding £257 million to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, potentially securing him considerable influence over the current government.
Earlier this year, we published a piece titled “Larry Ellison’s Dark Vision for OUR Future,” highlighting his plans that many would not consent to if asked:
Ellison seems intent on centralizing all national data, including citizens’ sensitive personal information, into a single database for AI analysis. In his view, this should encompass everything from economic statistics to healthcare records, agricultural data, and more.
During a recent event, he stated the necessity of compiling national data in a database for AI use, suggesting this step is crucial for accessing vast information.
He argues that such a system would yield advantages, including enhanced healthcare through personalized treatment and improved agricultural predictions. At the World Governments Summit, he promoted these benefits to global leaders, with Blair assisting in the pitch.
Ellison possesses an almost faith-like conviction in AI, claiming it might be the most significant discovery in human history. He advocates for governments, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., to adopt AI-driven surveillance technologies, emphasizing biometric identification—a trend already observable in both countries.
Ellison’s vision seeks to elevate AI surveillance to unprecedented levels, despite evident security repercussions. His futuristic perspective implies eliminating traditional passwords in favor of biometric recognition. He believes that we will soon log into platforms solely through biometric scans, without using traditional credentials.
Tony Blair: How crucial is Digital Public Infrastructure? Larry Ellison: Biometric logins will prevail. Goodbye to passwords. Maintain data integrity within the country.
Furthermore, Ellison advocates for nations to create their own sovereign data centers to bolster their AI capabilities, undoubtedly providing Oracle with substantial revenue opportunities.
Ellison’s assertions about the dawn of an era of surveillance elicit troubling reflections, suggesting that citizens will behave more cautiously when constantly monitored.
The figure spearheading the digital ID movement is Larry Ellison, owner of Oracle and recently TikTok. He envisions centralized data and total surveillance, suggesting that constant monitoring will ensure “citizens are on their best behavior.” Scary.
The Path Towards Mandatory Digital IDs
In the UK, Keir Starmer’s administration is now committed to implementing digital identity measures. Just two days after announcing, he declared that anyone without a digital ID will be unable to work:
‘You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom without a digital ID, it’s that simple.’
This pronouncement directly contradicts previous assurances that digital ID would not be compulsory. In recent days, government ministers have made contradictory statements regarding the nature of digital ID, even suggesting it would be mandatory to possess but not to use.
Concerns are mounting regarding the implications for the millions of UK residents lacking smartphones. Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, raised critical warnings about the potential dangers for those unable to access digital IDs:
“The introduction of digital IDs poses a serious risk, as they could restrict employment opportunities to those capable of affording and utilizing smartphones.”
She emphasized that vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, increasing their exclusion from both the workforce and essential services.
The UK government’s announcement about mandatory digital IDs coincided with the release of a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change advocating for such a system, suggesting it aligns with current public expectations.
The report highlights that a modern digital ID system promises to establish identity verification and facilitate seamless access to services, positioning it as beneficial to citizens’ interactions with the state.
Such narratives, however, appear laced with propaganda. The emphasis on “control” sandwiched between “fairness” and “convenience” leaves little doubt regarding the true intentions behind these initiatives. Fully realized digital ID systems could potentially touch every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to our interactions with the government.
The simultaneous development of digital identity systems alongside central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) raises pressing questions. As journalist Whitney Webb indicates, “CBDCs and digital IDs are mutually dependent systems.”
Critically, the push for digital IDs does not seem to stem from grassroots demand, as ordinary individuals have not called for such a system. As commentator Caitlin Johnstone aptly points out, this top-down initiative seeks to benefit authorities through enhanced population surveillance rather than serving the public interest.
Moreover, tech firms, including Oracle, stand to gain economically from the implementation of digital identity systems, a concern echoed in various reports. Blair’s longstanding ties with Ellison, dating back to public service contracts signed with Oracle under his administration, have only strengthened their partnership over the years.
Influence and Power
A recent exposé reveals the extent of influence exerted by the Tony Blair Institute on the UK government, pointing to potential dangers for citizen data. Donations from Ellison have significantly bolstered the Institute, expanding its focus and staffing to nearly 1,000 across multiple countries. In stark contrast to other UK think tanks, TBI engages closely with the government, resulting in recent policy implementations.
The influx of funding has drastically altered TBI’s culture, fostering an environment perceived as “toxic” by some staff and pushing tech-focused policy without critical discourse.
There are concerns that TBI is being transformed into an organization that prioritizes Oracle’s interests over public welfare, selling technology solutions to various governments worldwide.
The UK’s NHS data holds immense potential for commercialization, indicating a lucrative market for Ellison’s ventures.
While both Blair and Ellison may be wagering on a government often seen as unpopular, growing public resistance against mandatory digital IDs is evident. A recent petition has rapidly garnered 2.5 million signatures opposing the initiative, signaling public dissent.
