Episode 35: National Security Threat from Zionist Telecom Takeover?

First aired on 24 September 2022

British Telecom (BT) enjoys the custom of almost 30 million people across the UK. It is the largest provider of broadband communications services in the state.

It has a significant presence in 180 different countries across the world. It lays claim to the backbone of British internet infrastructure and even handles key service contracts in government departments.

However, in the last year a mysterious French-Israeli billionaire Patrick Drahi has become the largest shareholder of the company raising his stake to 18%.

This move has prompted the British government to make use of the new National Security and Investment Act to investigate Drahi's Altice company on the basis of concerns around national security.

But why would Patrick Drahi majority ownership of British Telecom be an issue of national security?

Drahi enjoys a fascinating relationship with Israeli military and intelligence institutions. His Israeli news channel i24 has employed at least 35 former members of the Israeli military as staff.

Patrick Drahi's channel i24News was accused by ex employees of practicing an Israeli government dictated cancel culture.

Former journalists alleged that Israeli journalists, like Amir Oren, had been dis-invited from appearing on the channel specifically at the behest of the Israeli Prime Minister's office.

Though it has not been stated publicly, it is likely that the national security concerns about Patrick Drahi's takeover of British Telecom are Israel related.