Israel launches Ofek-7 spy satellite in space

Editorial Note: The following news reports may be summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology.

Monday June 11, 2007 10:59 by Dina Yasmeen - IMEMC Editorial Group

The Israeli occupation government launched, on Monday, the Ofek-7 spy satellite into space. The satellite, which has a 4 year lifespan, comes at a time of increasing tension between Israel and Syria and Iran.

Amir Peretz, defense minister for the Israeli state, stated that this spy satellite, "adds an important layer to Israel's security and it is evidence of Israel's technological strength." A second military source revealed that Israel intends to launch a new spy satellite into space every two and a half years, but insisted that these satellites will only serve a defensive purpose.

Israel is well equipped for defense and war. In addition to having the most powerful army in the Middle East, the state is also widely believed to harbor a large amount of nuclear weapons and intermediate range ballistic missiles. There is also speculation that Israel possesses chemical and biological weapons.

Officially however, Israel remains ambiguous on its nuclear program, neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons in its military reserve.

Israel launches Ofek-7 spy satellite

Date: 11 / 06 / 2007 Time: 13:13

Bethlehem – Ma'an –

The Israeli occupation government launched the Ofek-7 military spy satellite from the Palmahim air force base, in the early hours of Monday morning.

Israeli daily Haaretz reported defence minister, Amir Peretz, as saying it "adds an important layer to Israel's security and it is evidence of Israel's technological strength."

The Ofek-6 spy satellite crashed into the Mediterranean, shortly after it was launched in 2004, denting the funds of the Israeli defence ministry by $80 million.

The spy satellite has been launched amidst heightening tensions between Israel and its neighbouring nations, particularly Syria and Iran. Israeli intelligence suspects Syria is preparing for a military confrontation with Israel.

ccun.org comment on the news:

The Israeli occupation government receives about $3 billion a year of US taxpayers' money. Most of them are used in the subjugation of the Palestinian people and spying on other nations.

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