This article focuses on relationships between Internet service providers (ISP), governments, and providers of basic telecommunications services in Israel, Jordan and Palestine. As business develops multinational ties within the region, the Internet will play an important role. Israel connected to EARN, the European counterpart to Bitnet, in 1984, but the first Internet connection waited till 1990. Via a 9.6Kbps line to the U.S., the Inter-University Computer Center became the first provider of Internet services. Early efforts to establish the Internet reflected a pattern of contention today between the ISPs, Bezeq Israel Telecommunications Corp. Ltd. and the government Ministry of Communication. In Palestine initial steps establishing Internet connectivity took place while some areas were still administered by the Israeli Civil administration. The first ISP, PALNET, began operation in late 1994. Attempts to obtain connectivity were unsuccessful until PALNET set up radio links to Points of Presence within Israel.