Israel Matzav

The next Israel-Turkey crisis

The next crisis in Israel's relations with Turkey is already on its way. It involves the use Turkey may make of photos of Israel that are obtained by Turkey's Göktürk electro-optical satellite project (Hat Tip: Joshua I).

The project will enable Turkey to acquire high-resolution images for military intelligence in Europe, the Caucasus and the Middle East. It will also strengthen Turkey’s hand in fighting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Concerned that the satellite will gather images of its territory, Israel has pressured France, which is working on the construction of the satellite in cooperation with the Italian-based company Telespazio, to stop the project. Given the possibility that its efforts in France may yield no results, Israeli officials are also lobbying in Ankara.

Once the satellite is launched in 2012, Turkey will be able to sell the images it obtains to other countries as well. Israel is currently attempting to negotiate with Turkish officials in order to ensure Turkey does not sell images of Israel to other states and Palestine. However, the response from Turkish officials was clear: “We will decide how to use the images taken by our satellite.”

Speaking to Today’s Zaman, high-level officials from the Turkish Defense Ministry said: “For years, Israel has obtained images of our territory. For the first time, we will have a satellite for intelligence. Reciprocity is essential in international relations. If they observe Turkish soil, Turkey has the same right, too.”

Well, yeah, but Israel doesn't go around selling sensitive images of Turkey to its enemies, and Turkey is a much bigger country and much harder to follow. But Turkey is likely to sell sensitive images of Israel to countries like Syria and Iran.

By the way, I saw the Google Streets truck in my neighborhood a couple of weeks ago. What could go wrong?

Labels: Göktürk electro-optical satellite project, Turkish obsession with Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:30 AM