Google Inc (GOOG) Got Israel’s Attention with Latest Decision

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) did make a very subtle change to one of its localized Google Search pages, and that move what characterized as the company getting involved in geopolitics where it might not belong. (OK, we had a headline that alluded to that last week.) We did wonder aloud whether this was something that could impact relations in the Middle East, and might some side in these negotiations take exception or pleasure in such a decision. We seem to have answers to two questions – one, yes, the move will definitely be caught by one side or the other and be used for political purposes, and two, yes, someone goes public to call out Google for the move. Are we clairvoyant or what?

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has drawn the ire of Israel after the company made a change to its Google.ps home page, changing “Palestinian Territories” to “Palestine.” Google maintained that it was just following on a United Nations resolution passed last fall to recognize Palestine as a non-member state, over the objection of the U.S. and Israel. While Palestine is not actually on a map as a country, Google wanted to be “at the front” of international happenings, and this change to its page was an indicator of that, based on U.M. action as well as action by several other entities, which includes ICANN, the organization that oversees and assigns web domains.

Israel’s deputy foreign minister was fired up enough to compose a letter to Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) CEO Larry Page to give him a what-for about the recognition of Palestine and what it means to the slow-moving peace process between the nation of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. “By (this recognition of Palestine) Google is in essence recognizing the existence of a Palestinian state,” the letter said. “Such a decision is in my opinion not only mistaken but could also negatively impinge on the efforts of my government to bring about direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”

What do you think? Is much ado about nothing for Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), as this is more to promote its business mission, or do you think Google is actually trying to play a role in U.S. foreign policy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: none