BDS-1000 Dossier: HP Inc. & Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Target Profile

Factbox:

• HP Indigo division headquarters in Ness Ziona, Israel (~2,500 employees)
• HPE sole supplier of servers for Israeli Population Registry (Aviv System) — NIS 3.8M contract through 2026
• Basel biometric checkpoint system operated at 20+ West Bank military checkpoints until 2016
• HPE selected for Israeli military server farm project (July 2024)
• KLP (Norwegian pension fund) excluded both HP Inc. and HPE (June 2021)
• $34 billion civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (Tamimi v. HPE, January 2025)

Executive Summary

HP Inc. and its spin-off Hewlett Packard Enterprise represent one of the most extensively documented cases of corporate involvement in Israel’s occupation infrastructure among global technology companies. The evidence establishes direct provision of IT systems to Israeli military, police, and prison authorities spanning over a decade, including the development and operation of the Basel biometric checkpoint system deployed at more than 20 West Bank military checkpoints ¹². HPE continues to hold active contracts with Israeli security entities, including server infrastructure for the Population Registry, police data centers, and prison services, with combined contract values exceeding NIS 10 million through 2028 ¹.

The strongest documented vectors of involvement center on economic activity (V-ECON) and political alignment (V-POL). HP Inc.’s acquisition of Israeli digital printing company Indigo in 2001 for $829 million established a major manufacturing footprint in Israel, with facilities in Ness Ziona and Kiryat Gat employing approximately 2,500 people ³⁴. HPE’s ongoing government contracts position the company as critical infrastructure provider to Israeli authorities that administer occupied territories. The Basel System, which collected biometric data from Palestinians at military checkpoints, represents the most direct documented link to occupation enforcement mechanisms ².

What is notably absent from the evidence base: no confirmed weapons systems involvement, no direct supply chain integration with Israeli defense primes (Elbit, IAI, Rafael), and no documented export license denials or legal sanctions specific to HP ¹³. The company is not listed in the UN OHCHR settlement database despite documented operations ⁵⁶. HP has not issued specific statements addressing the ICJ Advisory Opinion (July 2024) or ICC arrest warrants (November 2024) ¹³.

The resulting BRS score of 573 places HP in Tier C (High), driven primarily by V-ECON (8.00) reflecting substantial Israeli operational presence and V-POL (5.46) reflecting ongoing government security contracts. The V-MIL score (0.05) is minimal due to the absence of weapons or direct defense manufacturing, while V-DIG (0.32) reflects technology partnerships without confirmed surveillance system provision by HP Inc. specifically.

Timeline of Relevant Events

Corporate Overview

Corporate Structure

The 2015 split of Hewlett-Packard Company created two distinct publicly traded entities:

HP Inc. (HPQ) — Personal computers, printers, printing supplies, and the HP Indigo digital printing division. Primary focus on consumer and commercial hardware.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) — Enterprise servers, infrastructure, IT services, and enterprise software. Retained the legacy government contracts with Israeli authorities.

Key Israeli Entities and Operations

Franchise and Partnership Relationships

• Deep Instinct: Israeli cybersecurity company providing AI endpoint protection for HP Sure Sense (2019-2023, ~$150M value) ¹³
• Matrix IT Ltd.: Israeli IT services provider headquartered in Modi’in Illit (illegal West Bank settlement), listed in UN OHCHR settlement database ¹⁴
• Ness Technologies (Hilan Group): Acquired DXC’s Israeli operations in 2022, continues government IT contracts ⁷⁵

Domain Summaries

V-MIL: Military

Mechanism of Involvement

HP’s military-related involvement operates through three primary mechanisms: direct IT infrastructure provision, biometric checkpoint systems, and enterprise services to security authorities.

Direct IT Contracts: HPE (and predecessor HP Enterprise Services) has been the exclusive or primary provider of servers and IT infrastructure to Israeli military and security agencies since at least 2011. The 2011 servers tender (NIS 500 million) represented Israel’s largest-ever server procurement for the Ministry of Defense and IDF ⁸. The 2014 exclusive computer supply contract to the Israeli military ran through 2017 with extension options to 2019 ³⁹. The July 2024 selection of HPE to lead a new military server farm project, including managing construction contractor selection, represents ongoing involvement ¹¹².

Biometric Checkpoint Systems: The Basel System, developed and operated by EDS/HP, represented the most direct involvement in military operations. This biometric access control system collected fingerprints, retinal scans, and facial data from Palestinians at over 20 West Bank checkpoints including Jericho, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem, Hebron, Abu Dis, Tarkumia, and Efraim, as well as the Erez Crossing into Gaza ². The system was retired at the end of 2016.

Security Agency Services: HPE provides ongoing Data Center Care services to Israel Police (NIS 4 million, 2021-2026) and maintenance to Israel Prison Service (NIS 445,000, 2025-2026) ¹. The Israeli Prison Service contract provides a central storage system and seven SAN switches.

Counter-Arguments and Evidence Limits

No Weapons Systems Involvement: No public evidence identifies HP as a prime contractor or licensed manufacturer of weapons, munitions, or lethal platforms. No documented role in Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow missile defense, F-35 aircraft, Merkava tanks, or naval platforms ¹³.

No Direct Defense Prime Supply Chain: No evidence of HP providing components, subsystems, or specialist manufacturing services specifically to Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, or IMI Systems as named defense contractors ¹³.

Civilian Character of Primary Contracts: HP’s government contracts are for general-purpose computing infrastructure (servers, data centers, maintenance) rather than dedicated military hardware. The Basel System, while deployed at checkpoints, was not a weapons system.

Corporate Split Distinction: Post-2015, HP Inc. (the PC and printing company) does not hold the government contracts — these reside with HPE. Some BDS campaign materials predate this distinction ¹¹⁰.

Retired Systems: The Basel System was retired in 2016, and the 2014 military computer contract expired without extension confirmation ².

Named Entities and Evidence Map

V-DIG: Digital

Mechanism of Involvement

Technology Partnerships: HP Inc. integrates Deep Instinct’s AI-powered endpoint protection into HP Sure Sense for EliteBook and ZBook business laptops. Deep Instinct is Israeli-founded with headquarters in Tel Aviv, providing real-time malware detection through deep learning frameworks ¹³. This partnership was valued at approximately $150 million over a four-year period (2019-2023).

Data Residency: HP Anyware (cloud PC platform) supports “Israel Central” as a data residency region within its Middle East geography, allowing enterprise customers to route virtual desktop sessions through Israeli data center infrastructure ⁹.

Israeli R&D Presence: HP Labs maintains a research facility on the Technion campus in Haifa, focusing on imaging science, learning, and automation for commercial printing applications ². HP Scitex maintains R&D operations in Netanya.

Manufacturing Technology: HP Indigo and HP Scitex represent acquisitions of Israeli digital printing companies (2002-2004 and 2005 respectively), with ongoing manufacturing and R&D in Israel.

Counter-Arguments and Evidence Limits

No Surveillance Technology by HP Inc.: No evidence identifies HP Inc. deploying facial recognition, biometric identification, or behavioral analytics of Israeli origin for retail, loss prevention, or store analytics applications. The Basel System was operated by HPE/EDS, not HP Inc. ¹.

Not a Cloud Provider: HP Inc. does not operate public cloud infrastructure comparable to AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. HP Anyware is a virtual desktop delivery platform, not hyperscaler infrastructure ⁹.

Not in Project Nimbus: HP Inc. is not a participant in the Israeli sovereign cloud program awarded to AWS and Google Cloud in 2021 ¹.

No Confirmed Defense AI Systems: No evidence of HP providing AI, machine learning, computer vision, or autonomous decision-support systems directly to Israeli state, military, or security bodies ¹.

Named Entities and Evidence Map

V-ECON: Economic

Mechanism of Involvement

Foreign Direct Investment: The 2001 acquisition of Indigo N.V. for approximately $829 million established HP’s substantial Israeli operational presence ⁴. This represents the primary FDI event creating the current footprint.

Manufacturing Operations: HP Indigo maintains significant manufacturing capacity in Israel, including an 11,000 square meter ink manufacturing plant in Kiryat Gat ⁷. The division is headquartered in Ness Ziona with facilities in Kiryat Gat, employing approximately 2,400-2,500 people ³.

Workforce and Economic Contribution: HP Indigo is characterized as a major anchor employer in the Israeli technology sector and a significant growth and profit driver within the Printing segment ⁴. The HP Indigo workforce numbers approximately 2,500+ employees across multiple facilities, with workforce reductions of 50-100 employees reported in 2022.

Ongoing Government Contracts: HPE holds multiple Israeli government contracts with combined values exceeding NIS 10 million through 2028, providing server infrastructure to military, police, prison, and population registry systems ¹.

Counter-Arguments and Evidence Limits

Not Settlement-Based Manufacturing: HP Indigo facilities are located within internationally recognized Israeli boundaries (Ness Ziona, Kiryat Gat), not occupied territories. No settlement-origin product labeling concerns apply to technology hardware ³.

No Sovereign Bonds: No evidence of HP holding Israeli sovereign bonds or Israeli-domiciled company equity as portfolio investments. HP is a technology operating company, not a financial institution.

Not in UN Settlement Database: Despite documented operational involvement, HP Inc. and HPE are not listed in the UN OHCHR settlement database of 158 companies ⁵⁶.

No Divestment by Major Funds: The Norway Government Pension Fund Global exclusion list does not include HP Inc. or HPE ¹⁰. KLP excluded HP in 2021, but this was specifically over settlement links, not the full scope of operations.

Named Entities and Evidence Map

V-POL: Political

Mechanism of Involvement

Corporate Communications: HP Inc. has not issued specific corporate statements condemning or endorsing actions by any party in the Israel-Gaza conflict since October 7, 2023 ³. CEO Enrique Lores posted a generic statement on LinkedIn in October 2023 expressing concern for “all who are facing unimaginable loss” without naming Israel, Palestine, Gaza, or Hamas ⁷.

Operations in Contested Territories: HPE maintains a development center in Beitar Illit, an illegal West Bank settlement ¹⁷. HP participated in a “Smart City” project in Ariel settlement, providing a storage system for the municipality ¹⁸. Matrix IT Ltd., headquartered in Modi’in Illit (illegal West Bank settlement), is listed in the UN OHCHR settlement database and provides HP technology services ¹⁴.

Legal Scrutiny: A $34 billion civil lawsuit (Tamimi v. Hewlett Packard Enterprise et al.) was filed in U.S. District Court D.C. by Palestinian American plaintiffs in January 2025, alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, and RICO violations. HPE stated the “claims in this lawsuit are without merit” ².

Foundation Grants: HP Foundation 2023 grants include $500,000 to Magen David Adom (Israeli emergency medical service), $650,000 each to American Red Cross and Global Impact ¹⁰. No grants to FIDF, JNF, or AIPAC visible in available 990 data.

Lobbying: HP Inc. retained TheGROUP DC, LLC for lobbying in 2024. LDA filings show $60,000 in lobbying income with issues coded as domestic manufacturing and cybersecurity/sustainability — no Israel-specific or anti-BDS issues reported ¹⁹.

Counter-Arguments and Evidence Limits

No Named Statements on Conflict: HP has not issued public statements specifically addressing the July 2024 ICJ Advisory Opinion or November 2024 ICC arrest warrants. Operations in Israel continue as of latest public information ¹³.

No Defense Industry Board Ties: No evidence of HP Inc. or HPE board members holding positions, equity, or family-office investments in Israeli defense primes or settlement organizations ¹³.

No Pro-Palestinian Employee Actions: No documented internal HP employee walkouts or protests found in 2023-2024, unlike Google, Microsoft, and Amazon which had documented employee actions ²⁰²¹.

Generic Human Rights Policy: HP’s Human Rights Policy references ILO standards, UN Guiding Principles, and the Universal Declaration, but does not mention the Israel-Palestine conflict, Israeli military operations, or occupied territories by name ³.

Distinction from HPE: HP Inc. (the PC and printing company) does not hold the government security contracts — these reside with HPE, the separately traded enterprise services entity.

Named Entities and Evidence Map

BDS-1000 Score (V4)

• V_MAX: 8.00 (V-ECON)
• Sum_OTHERS: 5.83
• BRS Score: 573
• Tier: C (High)

The BRS score of 573 places HP in Tier C (High), driven primarily by V-ECON at 8.00, reflecting the substantial Israeli manufacturing presence (HP Indigo acquisition, ~2,500 employees, $829M investment) and ongoing economic activity. V-POL at 5.46 contributes significantly due to active government security contracts (military, police, prison services) and operations in illegal West Bank settlements. V-MIL is minimal (0.05) given the absence of weapons systems or direct defense manufacturing — the documented involvement is IT infrastructure and biometric systems, not military hardware. V-DIG (0.32) reflects technology partnerships (Deep Instinct AI) without confirmed surveillance system provision by HP Inc. specifically. The methodology uses scale-free Impact × magnitude/proximity, evidence-only assessment, with human-vetted scores.

Methodology Note

• Evidence Basis: All findings drawn exclusively from the four domain audits (V-MIL, V-DIG, V-ECON, V-POL), which compiled public evidence from NGO investigations, corporate filings, government contracts, and media sources.
• Scale-Free Impact: Impact (I) measures activity type — military hardware scores highest; general IT infrastructure scores lower; economic presence (manufacturing, jobs) scores high; political alignment (government contracts, settlement operations) scores high.
• Magnitude/Proximity: Magnitude (M) measures scale of operations — contract values, employee counts, facility sizes. Proximity (P) measures directness to occupation mechanisms — checkpoint systems and security contracts score highest; manufacturing in sovereign Israel scores lower.
• Temporal Rule: Divested or exited operations receive reduced scores. The Basel System retirement (2016) and DXC sale (2022) are reflected in lower V-MIL scores.
• Entity Attribution: No transitive guilt — HP Inc. and HPE are assessed separately where evidence permits distinction. The 2015 corporate split is material.
• Settlement Operations: Dual-counted where applicable — operations in illegal West Bank settlements (Beitar Illit, Ariel) contribute to both V-ECON and V-POL.
• “No Public Evidence”: Used where comprehensive checks found no documentation — not a claim of innocence, only absence of identified evidence.

End Notes