Cisco expands contracts with Israeli military amid internal protests during Gaza conflict

Cisco Systems, a leading global provider of networking equipment, has intensified its relationship with Israel’s military intelligence agencies during the ongoing Gaza war, according to confidential internal documents obtained by the Guardian. The documents, part of a leak by disgruntled Cisco employees, show the company responding to repeated technical failures in Israeli intelligence networks by offering additional support and resources, a move described in a September 2025 draft memo as a "customer success story".

The memo, dated September 2025, warned that the outages – some lasting several hours and affecting critical operations – were damaging the confidence of Israeli intelligence agencies in Cisco’s services. It noted that during a period of national conflict, such disruptions had a severe impact on essential functions, prompting Cisco to double down on its engagement with the Israeli security apparatus.

Employees, both active and retired, from Cisco have voiced public dissent regarding the company's engagement, describing the alliance as a startling and total breach of its core principles. The employees allege that Cisco’s continued contracts with the Israeli military conflict with the company’s professed ethical standards, especially as the war in Gaza entered its third year and had resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian deaths.

Background

Cisco has long supplied core internet infrastructure – routers, servers and communication systems – to governments and militaries worldwide. Its ties to Israel’s security forces date back several years, though they have attracted less public scrutiny than those of other technology firms. The leaked documents reveal that, during the Gaza war, Israeli military intelligence networks experienced significant technical problems, including multi‑hour outages and repeated crashes, which undermined confidence in Cisco’s equipment.

The internal memo highlighted that these issues emerged while the Israeli intelligence community was updating its digital infrastructure. Cisco’s response, as recorded in the documents, was to reinforce its support, positioning the effort as a means to restore reliability and maintain the client relationship.

Why it matters

The escalation of Cisco’s contracts with the Israeli military has implications for several stakeholder groups. Employees within the company have organised protests and voiced dissent, arguing that the firm’s actions conflict with its corporate values and broader human‑rights concerns. The public criticism reflects growing scrutiny of technology firms’ roles in armed conflicts and the ethical responsibilities of suppliers to military customers.

For the Israeli military, the continued partnership ensures access to advanced networking hardware essential for intelligence operations, despite the documented technical setbacks. The reliance on Cisco’s infrastructure underscores the importance of robust digital communications in modern warfare.

The situation also draws attention from investors and civil‑society organisations monitoring corporate conduct in conflict zones. While the documents do not indicate any legal challenges, the internal dissent may affect employee morale and public perception of Cisco’s brand.

What happens next

The leaked memo does not specify any forthcoming decisions or timelines regarding Cisco’s future dealings with the Israeli military. However, the internal controversy suggests that the company may face ongoing pressure from staff and external watchdogs to reassess its contracts. Further disclosures or policy reviews could emerge if employee activism continues or if additional information about the technical failures becomes public.