Israel broadcasts secret weapons test by mistake

[Wonk]

Thu Nov 6, 3:28 AM ET

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Live from Israel: A secret long-range artillery test broadcast by mistake across the Middle East on an open satellite television channel.

Israel's Channel 10 television captured an unencrypted live feed from one weapons-testing control room to another that was bounced off Israel's Amos communications satellite this week.

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Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, said the weapon was designed to hit targets 50 km (30 miles) away.

(snip)

Israeli media reports said the satellite's "footprint" covers an area stretching from Iran to Libya.

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[Wonk]

1. BBC - Israeli secret footage blunder

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They showed the preparations for the missile test and then the launch itself, including precise information on the test site and the missile's flight.

What is more, the pictures showed senior officials in the control room talking openly, referring to defence industry computer access codes.

Israel Aircraft Industries, which carried out the test, has tried to play down what has happened, but in Israel the episode is seen as deeply embarrassing.

Many have pointed out that anyone in the Middle East with a household satellite dish could have picked up the control-room pictures, including, of course, Israel's most hated enemies.

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[rini]

2. LOL

it's not secret anymore!

[ForestsBeatBushes]

3. Re your 4th sentence/paragraph:

i.e., "Israeli media reports said the satellite's "footprint" covers an area stretching from Iran to Libya."

One as cynical as I might think this was not unintended. Good show.

[TimeLord]

4. I was thinking the same thing.

n/t