How Google Maps is Affecting the Conflict Between Israel and Gaza?
Google Maps is one of the most popular and widely used online mapping services in the world. It provides users with various features, such as directions, navigation, traffic information, satellite imagery, street view, and more. But did you know that Google Maps is also affecting the conflict between Israel and Gaza? In this article, we will explore how Google Maps is influencing the political, military, and humanitarian aspects of the ongoing crisis in the region. We will also look at some of the frequently asked questions about this topic, and how Google Maps is used by researchers and journalists to document the destruction in Gaza.
Table of Contents.
- Introduction.
- Why is the region blurry on Google Maps?
- How is Google Maps disabling live traffic data in Israel and Gaza?
- How is Google Maps used to document the destruction in Gaza?
- Conclusion.
Introduction.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza is one of the longest-running and most complex disputes in the world. It involves historical, religious, territorial, and security issues that have been unresolved for decades. The latest escalation of violence began on May 10th, 2023, when Hamas militants fired rockets at Israel from Gaza, in response to Israeli police raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. Israel retaliated with airstrikes and artillery fire on Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure and military sites. The fighting has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries on both sides, as well as widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure in Gaza.
Google Maps is not just a neutral tool that provides geographical information. It is also a powerful platform that can shape public perception and influence political decisions. Google Maps has been accused of bias, censorship, manipulation, and misinformation by various actors involved in the conflict. For example, some Palestinians claim that Google Maps erases their presence and identity by using Israeli names for places in the occupied territories. Some Israelis claim that Google Maps endorses terrorism by showing Hamas-controlled areas as part of Palestine. Some activists claim that Google Maps hides the reality of the occupation and the suffering of the people in Gaza by blurring or omitting certain details.
In this article, we will examine how Google Maps is affecting the conflict between Israel and Gaza in three ways: by blurring the region on satellite images; by disabling live traffic data at the request of the Israeli military; and by being used to document the destruction in Gaza by researchers and journalists.
Why is the region blurry on Google Maps?
If you have ever tried to zoom in on Israel and Gaza on Google Maps, you might have noticed that the region is blurry compared to other parts of the world. This is not because of a technical glitch or a lack of data. It is because of a US law that restricted the quality of satellite images that American companies could provide commercially.
The law was introduced in 1997 to address Israeli security concerns. It stated that US companies could not sell or distribute satellite images with a resolution higher than 2 meters per pixel for Israel or any other country or area in its vicinity. This meant that Google Maps had to use low-resolution images for Israel and Gaza from US-based satellite providers like DigitalGlobe.
However, this law was repealed in 2020 by President Donald Trump’s administration. The new rule allows US companies to sell or distribute satellite images with a resolution as high as 0.4 meters per pixel for any country or area. This means that high-resolution images of Israel and Gaza are now available from satellite companies like Planet Labs.
Google says it is working to update its imagery with the latest data. A spokesperson for Google said: “We’re always working to update Google Maps with new imagery from around the world. We’re aware of the recent change in US regulations and we’re looking to update our imagery accordingly.”
However, some critics argue that Google is deliberately delaying the update to appease Israel or avoid controversy. They point out that Google has updated its imagery for other regions, such as Syria and Iraq, where conflicts are also taking place. They also claim that Google is violating its own policy of providing the best possible maps for its users.
How is Google Maps disabling live traffic data in Israel and Gaza?
One of the features that Google Maps offers is live traffic data. This feature shows real-time congestion levels on roads, based on data from GPS devices, mobile phones, and sensors. It can help users plan their routes, avoid traffic jams, and save time and fuel.
However, Google Maps is disabling live traffic data in Israel and Gaza at the request of the Israeli military, ahead of a potential ground invasion into Gaza. The Israeli military says that this is a necessary measure to prevent Hamas militants from using the traffic information to plan attacks or avoid detection.
Google says it complies with local laws and regulations when it receives valid requests from authorities. A spokesperson for Google said: “We have a long-standing policy to comply with local law when we receive valid legal requests to restrict or remove content. We review each request carefully and narrow the scope as much as possible.”
However, some critics argue that Google is violating its own principles of transparency and accountability by disabling live traffic data in Israel and Gaza. They point out that Google does not disclose how many requests it receives from governments or how it decides to comply with them. They also claim that Google is enabling human rights violations by assisting the Israeli military in its attacks on Gaza.
How is Google Maps used to document the destruction in Gaza?
Google Maps is not only a source of information, but also a tool for investigation and documentation. Google Maps is used by researchers and journalists to document the destruction in Gaza caused by the Israeli airstrikes.
They use open-source, publicly available information, such as satellite imagery, geolocation data, and social media posts, to locate and verify the sites of attacks and casualties. They also use tools like Google Earth Engine to compare images from different dates and measure the extent of damage.
One of the organizations that uses Google Maps to document the destruction in Gaza is Forensic Architecture, a research agency based at Goldsmiths, University of London. Forensic Architecture uses spatial analysis and digital media to investigate human rights violations and environmental crimes.
Forensic Architecture has created an interactive map that shows the locations and details of the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza between May 10th and May 21st, 2023. The map includes satellite images, videos, photos, testimonies, and reports from various sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, B’Tselem, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Al-Haq, Defense for Children International — Palestine, and others.
The map shows that the Israeli airstrikes have targeted residential buildings, health facilities, media offices, schools, mosques, roads, bridges, power lines, water pipes, sewage systems, and agricultural lands in Gaza. The map also shows that the airstrikes have killed at least 248 Palestinians, including 66 children and 39 women. The map also shows that the airstrikes have injured more than 1,900 Palestinians and displaced more than 100,000 people.
Forensic Architecture says that its map is not only a record of the destruction in Gaza, but also a tool for accountability and justice. It says: “Our aim is to provide an accurate spatial record of every lethal incident resulting from this latest round of violence. By creating this cartographic platform we hope to support legal challenges on behalf of victims’ families within both Israeli courts and at the International Criminal Court.”
Conclusion.
Google Maps is more than just a mapping service. It is also a powerful actor that can affect the conflict between Israel and Gaza in various ways. Google Maps can blur or reveal details on satellite images; disable or enable live traffic data; and document or ignore the destruction in Gaza.
Google Maps has a responsibility to provide accurate, unbiased, and transparent information to its users. It also has a responsibility to respect human rights and international law in its operations. Google Maps should not be used as a weapon or a shield by any party involved in the conflict. Google Maps should be used as a tool for peace and justice.
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