According to the tech giant, Google, Palestine doesn’t exist on world map. Google has removed the country from the maps service. Hundreds of thousands have already requested Google by signing an online petition to reinstate Palestine on the maps service. The tech giant has replaced the partially recognized state’s name with Israel.
Local journalists criticized the move as a ‘failed attempt’ aimed at ‘falsifying history and geography.’
The move has sparked anger across many people around the world. There is criticism from all parts of the world. The omission of Palestine is also an insult to the people of state. Additionally, it also undermines the efforts of millions of people who are involved in attaining Palestine’s freedom from Israeli oppression.
A statement by the Palestinian Journalists’ Forum [PJF] prompted an online campaign against Google. The statement was:
“[This] is part of the Israeli scheme to establish its name as a legitimate state for generations to come and abolish Palestine once and for all. The move is also designed to falsify history, geography as well as the Palestinian people’s right to their homeland, and a failed attempt to tamper with the memory of Palestinians and Arabs as well as the world”
Thousands have already signed online petition
An online petition titled ‘Google: Put Palestine on Your Maps!’ at change.org is on the go. It has attracted 180,000 petitioners from all across the world. They are urging the tech giant to reinstate Palestine on the Google maps service. Moreover, they also accused Google of ‘making itself complicit in the Israeli government’s ethnic cleansing of Palestine’ either purposely or unintentionally. Zak Martin initiated the petition. He slams the exclusion of UN non-member observer state’s name on the map as a “grievous insult” to Palestinians.
You can have a crack at the online petition here and lend your support if you wish to.
If anyone tries to type Palestine into Google maps search, he will be shown a blank space within Israel’s territory. In addition, it marked the areas of Gaza, Judea and Samaria with a dashed line, without naming them.
Anger across Twitter, other social platforms
Google has gathered a lot of criticism across social media platforms, especially Twitter. There has been plenty of support for Palestine and trends like #BoycottGoogle and #PalestineIsHere are trending on Twitter.
Some have deleted their Google accounts while some are of the view that they will use different search engine.
Google’s statement
Google spokesperson Nathan Tyler stated:
“We’re changing the name ‘Palestinian Territories’ to ‘Palestine’ across our products. We consult a number of sources and authorities when naming countries. In this case, we are following the lead of the UN…and other international organizations”
Share your thoughts with us about this unwarranted move from Google.
Source: RT