More on Google Earth

I posted on the misinformation contained on the Google Earth site last week, and received some comments arguing with my characterization of the story as an outrageous one. I do agree with some of my commenters that the misinformation, as entered by the interactive site's users are upsetting but fair game. However, this aspect of the story is far more troubling:

While Jerusalem serves as Israel's capital, and the Temple Mount is located within Israeli sovereignty, the popular satellite map program Google Earth divides the city and places the Mount – Judaism's holiest site – within Palestinian territory.

Interactive Google Earth maps mark eastern sections of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount as "occupied territory," set to become part of a future Palestinian state.

Google Earth states it demarcates its maps according to international standards, but no Israeli-Palestinian negotiations – even the failed Camp David final-status negotiations in 2000 – ever placed the Temple Mount within Palestinian territory.

The United Nations considers eastern sections of Jerusalem, recaptured by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War, to be "disputed." The Israeli Knesset officially annexed the entire city of Jerusalem as its capital in 1980.

In my opinion, borders drawn in such an egregiously incorrect manner, on the part of the siteowners, are nothing short of outrageous.

Google's response:

Referring to Google erroneously labeling the Gaza Strip as occupied, the spokeswoman said, "Borders and place names are not always updated straightaway. Occasionally there are discrepancies. We are happy to receive feedback and will pass it on to the Google Earth team and take the necessary steps."

Let's see how long it takes for Google to take the "necessary steps". I'll keep you posted.