Israel Raises Concerns That American Satellite Imaging Companies Can Now Sell Clearer Images Of Israel And The Palestinian Territories

A new Israeli spy satellite, called Ofek 16, is shot into space from a site in central Israel July 6, 2020. Israel Ministry of Defense Spokesperson's Office/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: Israel feels exposed as U.S. drops satellite-imaging cap

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli official flagged a possible security risk on Monday following a U.S. move to allow American providers to sell clearer satellite images of Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Under a 1997 U.S. regulation known as the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment, satellite images of Israel and the Palestinian territories used in services like Google Earth could show items no smaller than 2 metres (6.56 ft) across.

The curb, Israel had argued, would help prevent enemies using public-domain information to spy on its sensitive sites.

But the U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office said on June 25 it would allow enhanced resolutions of 0.4 metre. In a statement to Reuters, the agency said “a number of foreign sources” are already producing and disseminating sub-2 m. imagery of Israel.

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WNU Editor: They are already numerous foreign companies selling detailed satellite images. The U.S. is not the only player in town.