Robert, as you said, Google Maps show Israel as blank. However, Google Earth still provides a lot of detail that terrorists could use.

Hugh:

You are right. We are aware of the problem and investigating.

Thanks so much.

" ... Well, we are glad to report that when the jihadists reference Israel, em excuse me, the Zionist entity, on their computers, they will come up blank. ... "

i hope so,
and hope that it is only because that i'm 'not' a jihadist, that they 'did' come up for me, ;-(((


here is a direct link to a google map

Jerusalem


if this link doesn't work,
go to google, click on maps, type in Jerusalem, and click on 'hybrid' in the top right corner of the map window,

a map is also available when clicking on
'Sderot, Israel'
(again, it is necessary to click on the 'hybrid' option)

so,
maybe 'more' talks are still necessary with google...

Exdem:

Thanks so much.

Sigh.

Back in the saddle again.

I had our SF bureau contact Google on Monday to ask about this and they categorically denied any talks with the IDF. Sometimes, keeping good secrets is the best policy.

'Debate and discuss'. Just as long as you agree with one narrow point of view. I find it ridiculous that Israel comes up blank. Satellite pictures I understand, but maps no. You can buy a paper version at any travel shop. Anyway, it might help some poor Palestinians with their often tortuous slogs to get to work.

Phil:

I can assure you the Palestinians know their way around Israel. Every single street and highway sign in Israel is in Hebrew, Arabic and English. An idiot can make his way around the country. It's the size of New Jersey.

No, the real-world application is for jihadists to kill Jews.

Let's put Israel back on the map!

This is ridiculous, one could find a map of Israel anywhere. Google isn't the only map source, not to mention that Google earth is full of useful information that could have been downloaded and saved on one's computer years ago.

Israel should be shown and labeled on the map just like any other country. This is exactly what they want, to wipe Israel off the map and we gave it to them.

Jihadists were killing Jews since before 1948, and they will continue to do it. Google maps or not!

I have no intention to go to Israel anytime soon. I'm just an inquisitive nerd who is interested in maps and geography. (I'm one of those kids who enjoyed memorizing capitals instead of playing catch). I see the reasoning behind not providing details on Israel's layout. However, with that line of thinking in mind, wouldn't it also be necessary to block out London, New York, Washington, Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, San Francisco and Sydney as well?
To that some might reply that these places have the military and technology to protect themselves. Last time I checked Israel is a military power and has one of the highest levels of educational attainment in the world.
Not sure if blanking out a map is going to stop anyone from attempting to do whatever it is they are attempting to do. Capitol Hill needs more protection and privacy than the Knesset does...

Kelly:

London, New York, Washington, etc. are cities that are not under constant genocidal threat by homicide bombers who are just a few miles from their civilian targets, not to mention the Quassam rockets launched on an hourly basis from the Judenrein Gaza strip.

Israel might be a military power, but she is moral, hence she does not turn Gaza into a parking lot—which any other country in the world would do in self-defense. All she asks is that Google blank out some maps which aid terrorists in killing woman and children.

http://www.mapa.co.il/ seems to be based on the same software as Google Maps. I would not be surprised to hear that there's an agreement between Google and Mapa by which Mapa pays to license the Google software and eliminate "competition" from maps.google.com.

BTW, mapa.co.il is a great site, but it's amusing what they do to military sites like the Kirya and Dimona reactor. Check it out (and compare with maps.google.com)...