V-MIL Audit: Netflix

Direct Defence Contracting & Procurement

Netflix has no documented direct contracts, tender awards, or memoranda of understanding with Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD), Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Israel Prison Service, Israel Border Police, or other Israeli state security bodies ¹. No registered Israeli subsidiary has been identified; CEO Reed Hastings stated in 2016 that Netflix was “not planning [to open offices] in Israel,” and no Exhibit 21 subsidiary listing for Netflix Israel appears in SEC filings ¹. Netflix distributes in Israel through Partner Communications Ltd. (PTNR), an Israeli telecommunications company with documented extensive ties to Israeli military and settlement activities, including a license for fixed communication services in West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements valid until January 2027, more than 200 cellular antennas on occupied land in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Syrian Golan, sponsorship of IDF combat units including the Ezuz armored battalion and Shachar search and rescue unit, provision of services to IDF during the 2014 Gaza operation, rent payments to settlements such as Beit El and Migron outpost for equipment on Palestinian land, and winning tenders for the Israeli District Coordination of Gaza and Civil Administration ²³. No FMS notification naming Netflix as a prime contractor has been identified.

Dual-Use Products & Tactical Variants

Netflix is a streaming entertainment service, and no evidence of ruggedised, tactical, mil-spec, or defence-grade variants of its products has been identified ¹. No public evidence identified for any tactical or militarised variant of Netflix’s streaming platform.

Heavy Machinery, Construction & Infrastructure

No verified reports, photographic evidence, NGO investigations, or UN documentation of Netflix equipment, vehicles, or machinery being used in construction, maintenance, or demolition activity within Israeli settlements, the separation barrier, military installations, or occupied territories ⁴⁵. AWS and Google Cloud provide cloud infrastructure to the Israeli military and defense ministry via Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion contract awarded in 2021. Netflix uses AWS globally for content delivery, but no documented Netflix-specific infrastructure in Israel or documented use of Project Nimbus infrastructure by Netflix has been identified ⁴⁵.

Supply Chain Integration with Defence Primes

No verified supply relationships have been identified where Netflix provides components, sub-systems, raw materials, or specialist manufacturing services to Israeli defence prime contractors including Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, or Israel Military Industries. No public evidence identified for any component supply relationships between Netflix and Israeli defence primes.

Logistical Sustainment & Base Services

No verified contracts have been identified for Netflix to provide catering, transport, fuel supply, waste management, facilities maintenance, telecommunications, or other support services to IDF bases, military training facilities, detention centres, or security installations. No public evidence identified for any logistical sustainment or base services provided by Netflix to Israeli military installations.

Munitions, Weapons Systems & Strategic Platforms

Netflix is a streaming entertainment company and has no verified role as prime contractor or licensed manufacturer of small arms, artillery systems, armoured vehicles, tactical drones, naval vessels, or other lethal platforms supplied to Israeli forces. No public evidence identified for any involvement by Netflix in munitions, weapons systems, or strategic platforms.

Export Licensing, Regulatory & Legal History

No publicly known government decisions to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke export licences for Netflix products to Israeli military or security end-users have been identified. No court proceedings, judicial reviews, or legal challenges brought against Netflix regarding defence supply relationships with Israel have been identified. No public evidence identified for any export licence decisions or legal challenges involving Netflix and Israeli military end-users.

Civil Society Scrutiny & Documented Investigations

Netflix is not among the approximately 158 companies listed in the UN Business and Human Rights database concerning settlement activity (HRC resolutions 31/36/53/25) ⁶. The Special Rapporteur’s July 2025 report “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide” (A/HRC/59/23) names Elbit Systems, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Lockheed Martin but does not name Netflix ⁷. In 2018, PACBI called for Netflix to remove the “Fauda” series, describing it as “anti-Arab racist Israeli propaganda,” and 50 Hollywood executives signed a letter supporting Netflix’s continued airing of the series ⁸. In November 2024, a new boycott campaign emerged after Netflix removed the “Palestinian Stories” collection, reducing it from 32 films to 13; Netflix attributed the removal to expired licenses, and Netflix was added to the NoThanks boycott list ⁹. Netflix is not listed in the Who Profits database, the AFSC investigate database, or other specialist civil-society investigations reviewed ²⁴. Netflix licenses Israeli content from Keshet International, including multiple series such as “When Heroes Fly,” “Trust No One,” “A Body That Works,” and “Off Road”; no defence industry ties have been found for Keshet in searches ¹⁰. Netflix has 13 directors as of 2024, and Brad Smith, former Microsoft President and Vice Chair, joined the board in 2024; no directors have documented defence contractor board memberships ¹¹. Netflix matches employee donations at a 2:1 ratio up to $10,000 to any IRS 501(c)(3) or equivalent; the program does not specify particular recipients, and while theoretically employee-directed giving could include FIDF or other Israeli organisations with defence connections, this has not been documented ¹²¹³¹⁴.

End Notes