Google Earth zooms in on Israel military sites

October 5th, 2007 · 19 Comments

From today’s Yediot:

Sensitive installations, Air Force bases with their planes and helicopters, missile bases and even the nuclear reactor in Dimona have never been photographed better. A recent Google Earth update shows satellite pictures that make it possible to see clear, sharp pictures of military and civilian targets all across Israel.

Up until recently, the satellite pictures of Israel on Google Earth had a particularly low resolution: every pixel was equal to 10-20 meters. Now, the satellite maps of Israel show great parts of the country with a resolution close to two meters per pixel.

Here’s an example of one internet thread of amature analysis about the new Google Earth images of Israel’s Uvda Air Force Base (see pic below). I’ve never had the pleasure of sitting in on a spy briefing, but I would imagine transcripts read much like this. I can imagine this sort of stuff must drive traditional military intel types bronkers.

RedKing: Found this airfield in southern Israel while looking for the Shizafon armor training center. Thought at first it was Ovda AB, but that’s clearly visible about 23 miles to the south. Looks like they’re packing a few squadrons of A-4s. Any ideas?

Spitfire_mkv: Ouvda (Uvda) Airbase (Canaf 10). New airbase built for the IDF/AF by the USA, opened 1981. Replacement for Etzion AB. Located north west of Eilat, in the southern Negev region, near the Jordanian border. ICAO code: LLOV. Location coordinates: N29 56.2 E034 56.5, elevation: 1492 ft (455 m). Consists of two parallel runways (both 020/200 degrees) of lengths 8530 ft (2600 m) and 9843 ft (3000 m) respectively. Civil operations ceased when Akaba International in Jordan began to serve Elat. The civil apron was at the far end of the shorter runway, while the miltary area was alongside the longer runway. Currently home to 137, 143, 145 and 202 squadrons.

Yediot’s star military correspondent Alex Fishman says the new Google Earth photos “must make us realize that such terms as ambiguity and state secrets are becoming obsolete as technology leaps forward.”

It is simply a striptease. We feel like we’re dressed, but in fact we’re not. We are transparent. The State of Israel, with its sensitive installations, has lost another scarf veiling its charms. If up until now we were undressed only by the superpower satellites, then now, with the improvement in the quality of satellite images from Google Earth, Israel’s most secret spots are becoming visible not only to any ephemeral intelligence organization—but to any Internet surfer.

Below you can see an overview of the Negev desert community of Dimona, and Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor about 30 km to the southeast. You can also see the site of one of the IDF’s white spy blimps.

Below, Google Earth imagery of the Dimona nuclear reactor.

A closeup of an Israeli spy blimp on the ground southwest of the Dimona nuclear reactor.

Israel’s Palmahim Air Base just north of Ashdod. I’ve flown over this air base in a helicopter and if I recall, the row of square shaped births just east of the runway are occupied by Apache helicopters. This is also the base from which Israel launches the Arrow interceptor missile, designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles.

Of course, Google Earth has other ways of getting into trouble also. The borders it has drawn through Jerusalem haven’t sat well with some in Israel.

Tags: Intelligence · Military · Israel

19 responses so far ↓

1 Wild Bill Donovan // Oct 6, 2007 at 12:01 am

nothing like a good old fashioned spy briefing.
2 NEWS: Syria’s air defense; Israel’s military installations // Oct 6, 2007 at 1:47 am

[…] Google Earth zooms in on Israel military sites Conflict Blotter, October 5, 2007 […]
3 Mike Nargizian // Oct 6, 2007 at 4:50 am

So Charles perhaps you and Abu Nasser should have coffee and a smoke and discuss how the Temples and Biblical history in Jerusualem is a Zionist Lie and how all the Zionists control the media in America…. lol….. and how soooooo mannnnny American Jews lack the depth and PCness that you do… lol what a joke.

We congratulate Google and the American people in making this very important change in the Middle East. The Al Aqsa Mosque (located on the Temple Mount) is part of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is part of Palestine. If such a big institution like Google corrected these historical mistakes on maps, maybe we can bring about a change in the depictions of Palestine by the American media, which is controlled by the Zionists.”

According to Abu Nasser, whose terror group says it is trying to liberate the Al Aqsa Mosque, the Jewish Temple “never existed.” “At least not on the area Jews now call the Temple Mount,” he said. “Maybe a Temple existed somewhere, but not in Jerusalem. The Temple Mount exists only in the imaginations of the Jews and Americans.”
4 yaacov // Oct 6, 2007 at 5:30 pm

The problem with GE’s marking of the border in Jerusalem - even if one assumes what they mean is the line of 1967 - is that it’s simply, factually, wrong.
5 hates_zionists // Oct 7, 2007 at 6:54 am

lets play a little game called spot the zionist shill comments, oh wait.. thats half the comments! don’t they have anything better to do then troll comment sections and spread their reality (which is never grounded anywhere near the reality the rest of us live in) im surprised they didn’t call you an anti-semite.. theres still time though.
6 Caradoc // Oct 7, 2007 at 8:26 am

Plant now and hope to God that Ajad has no plans for an early breakfast next year.
The planting of information here is so visibly and amateurish that it gives Hamas second thoughts of NOT invading Israel

Type in “Dimona,Israel” and THEY WILL SEND YOU to a place that looks like a garbage dump for Gazian spent rockets or an Artillery practice ground…NOT to the picture you have published
This is the third different place in 27 months that Google/Israel has sent people to…There was NEVER ANY LOW RESOLUTION ON ANY of those trips to the sites..They were perfectly clear…with no cloud covering whatsoever.
Prior to you passing your opinion on such stories/paid for feedlines ..whatever …suggest you spend some time checking the facts…

Do you honestly believe that if an enemy of Israel wanted to perform some operational mischief…they would rely on “Google”…That is how you and others have the Israeli people shaking in their socks with fearmongering from juvenile blogs and editorials

Dimona ..23 Aug 2005
LAT……. 31° 4′ 27.74″ N
LONG.. 35° 2′ 0.51.0″E

Dimona ..2 Jan 2007
LAT……..31° 00′ 11 26″ N
LONG….35° 08′ 49 57″ E

Dimona above ..7 Oct 2007
LAT……. 31° 5′ 42.00″ N
LONG.. 34° 56′ 54.24″ E

Difference in distances between the sites given by Israeli’s to the Google ‘mappists is 70 thousand feet or 13.4 miles…and not one looks anything like a “Nookler” Site..
The Israelis are the illusionists remember..and you are acting the part………No Oscar this year apparently

From your image posted recently(above) and my image of 23 Aug 2005, visually there is NO DIFFERENCE…The very few vehicles have not moved an inch and the other details…. vegetation and shadows are PRECISELY OF THE SAME tone and texture…THEY ARE THE VERY SAME IMAGE
Move west of the site and at about 6-7 miles and you will see a little white cloud …That was there 21/2 years ago
Why are you deliberately lying..Who pays you for this misinformation..Is it worth it..
Your Headlines are Telling Lies and the sad part is that YOU KNOW IT
Why the reference to Palmahim Base way below TelAviv…Naming Ashdod and not Sorek or Yayne seems a little odd…if you get the point.

I will not even attempt to look at your sidebar as I can expect the very same ..You referrers will be notified by email

From a discusted blogger
7 Shual // Oct 7, 2007 at 10:54 am

Google Maps [de] is even funnier. Around Dimona nukeplant, you can scroll down to 100ft = 1cm with a very good picture quality. The zone of the plant is brutal censored and alienated.

“The largest cellular operator in Israel -Cellcom- has selected Nokia Siemens Networks [Nokia owner of Navtech. Navtech partner of Google] as a partner to develop its Next Generation Network.” September 09, 2007 [caugth in the act]
8 TrueBlue // Oct 7, 2007 at 3:32 pm

Israel wouldn’t have so many “enemies” if 75% of their population didn’t refer to the rest of us as “Goya” and treat us as suckers to do their dirty work-because they don’t like anyone except (some) other Jews.

Why does Israel wish the Holy land bombed, anyway? (Irak)
9 Mike Nargizian // Oct 7, 2007 at 9:18 pm

TO HATED ZIONISTS aka ANON Y M ASS -

Bro, at least make up a name… you know other than ANONYM ASS or HATED ZIONISTS it’s not very creative of you… someone might think you’re not that bright? if they haven’t read anything you wrote yet… Surprised you didn’t accuse anyone of being a filthy criminal, criminal!!! lol…

lets play a little game called spot the zionist shill comments, oh wait.. thats half the comments! don’t they have anything better to do then troll comment sections

You mean like a troll with creative names like ANON Y M ASS or Hated Zionist trolling?

and spread their reality (which is never grounded anywhere near the reality the rest of us live in) im surprised they didn’t call you an anti-semite.. theres still time though.

Reality is a funny thing in the land of “criminals”!! lol…

I think you mean all the “Islamophobes” running rough shod all over the streets of Amerika!! LOL!! Projection is a funny thing you criminal…
Maybe you should peruse the victim game of the Saudi Muslim Brotherhood front groups, CAIR, MSNA etc…
10 TheAZCowBoy, Tombstone, AZ. // Oct 8, 2007 at 6:35 am

I think its wonderful that the Paly’s will now have the ability to ’sight in’ on Dimona.

The Joos aren’t supposed to have any nukes anyway - so, if the Paly’s take them out with their high-tech Kassam rockets then the pariah Joos can then use rocks and sticks in their attacks on Palestine - that way the world could give a caca as to who hurt whom, huh dudes?

TheAZCowBoy
Tombstone, AZ.

“Kill ‘em all Hezbollah - Let their G-d sort them out.”
11 Al Rovati // Oct 8, 2007 at 11:44 pm

THE U.S. AND ISRAEL BOMBING IRAN AND THE THREE WORLD WAR.

Dear reader Im so glad to comment about USA & Israel bombing Iran was will detonate The three world war because Iran already have two big nukes purchase to North Korea. One to vaporizate Israel and one launched from a commercial sea ship near U.S. over commercial container apareance missile launcher to nuke USA.
If Israel bombing Iran, Iran will vaporizate Israel and Israel with Dolphin Class submarines loaded with nuclear warhead missiles will blow up the entire Mideast like retaliation, thing was Russians don’t want call China military ally to protecy Mideast.
If USA bombing Iran, Iran will sinking a USS Carrier activate the American pride was will nuke the entire Iran, thing was Russia and China don’t want, nuke USA.
MUST DETAIN PEDOPHILE BUSH WAS WILL DETONATE THE THREE WORLD WAR WAS U.S. WILL LOSE!
Be on to the next time, regards from Al.
12 Now Israel Nuke secrets peek out on Google « zerohostel // Oct 11, 2007 at 12:28 am

[…] The images are pretty remarkable. You can check out a very detailed shot of Israel’s not-so-secret nuclear reactor in Dimona (along with other Israeli military sites) courtesy of Charles Levinson at Conflict Blotter, www.conflictblotter.com. […]
13 Roundup of Analysis and Investigative Articles: The bomb, Palestinian NGOs, Middle East secularism, and Turkey « Report on Positivity // Oct 12, 2007 at 6:37 pm

[…] not-so-secret nuclear reactor in Dimona (along with other Israeli military sites) over here courtesy of Charles Levinson at Conflict Blotter. (Dion Nissenbaum, Checkpoint […]
14 Israeli Nuclear Reactor Visible on Google Earth « Dreadnaught // Oct 13, 2007 at 3:47 am

[…] Israeli Nuclear Reactor Visible on Google Earth Posted on October 12, 2007 by yojoe Will the problems created by Google Earth ever stop? A Israeli nuclear reactor has been spotted on Google Earth. […]
15 Terroristas palestinos utilizan ‘Google Earth’ para atacar a Israel | Google Adictos // Oct 29, 2007 at 2:29 am

[…] de las imágenes de satélite de Israel y hace unos días el diario ‘Yedioth’ aseguraba que la reciente actualización de la herramienta facilitaba el acceso a fotografías de alta […]
16 Andy // Dec 19, 2007 at 7:19 pm

Oh, and did not know about it. Thanks for the information …
17 Abdul Waris // Feb 5, 2008 at 10:50 am

The day is coming when we will make clean our territory from monsters.The Occupied Palestine by the Jews will be recaptured. God is with us GO Hizbullah GO Mujahideen GO and show the jews that never again mess with muslims.
18 levani // Apr 11, 2008 at 2:54 am

so what if the Dimona site appears on Google Earth it wont change any truth the the Jews own Israel and their capital is Jerusalem………The Al-aqsa mosque is built on the Temple Mount…Judaism is the oldest religion on Earth and their Temple was at Temple Mount
19 Levani // Apr 11, 2008 at 3:03 am

King David a Jew ,built Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel so when did the Al-aqsa mosque came into being which is a politcal playfield of islamist know just because of its jealousy and hatred toward Israel. Compare how many times the term Jerusalem appears in the Torah and how many times in the quran………the cache is if something so dear to you will be part of your faith and life to you everyday

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