Some users have noticed that in the latest iOS update, devices offer a Palestinian flag emoji when texting «Jerusalem».
Rachel Riley, a British writer and broadcaster, in post on X criticized Apple, accusing the company of «double standards» and anti-Semitism, demanding an explanation from Tim Cook. Riley, a self-described Jew, added that national flag emojis are not offered for other capital names.
Jerusalem’s civic affiliation has been a matter of dispute throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which dates back to pre-biblical times, but now six months have passed since its current escalation in the form of the Gaza War.
The updated software does offer the Palestinian flag when typing «Jerusalem» in messaging apps on Apple devices — but it seems to be only in the English layout (UK). The suggestion does not appear in a similar layout for the United States.
On Apple said that it was done unintentionally and promised to fix the error in the next iOS update.