Typing “Jerusalem” on the current iPhone iOS 17.4.1 software in an emoji search returns a Palestinian flag icon if the phone is set to English (UK) but not when set to English (U.S.), JNS found on Wednesday.
The same thing happens on some Google’s Android devices The Jewish Chronicle reported, citing a social media post by Rachel Riley, a British television presenter.
“I’ve just upgraded my software to version iOS 17.4.1, and now, when I type the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, I’m offered the Palestinian flag emoji,” Riley wrote to Apple and its CEO Tim Cook. “This didn’t occur on my phone immediately before this update.”
“Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of antisemitism, which is itself a form of racism against Jewish people,” Riley added. “Please explain whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers.”
She signed the post as a “a Jewish woman concerned about the global rise in antisemitism.”
Riley added a list of 65 capital cities “that do not offer their nation’s flags, let alone the wrong one.” JNS
Even worse are cellphones rented in the US when turned on in Israel would start with “Welcome to Palestine”. Jewish owners renting these phones should be notified.
My phone will autocorrect Israel to Israeli
I think that Yiddn are sophisticated enough to react powerfully to this Desertmonger scan. Even when so many are captivated by the vicious, wasteful bitul-zman by the ghastly gadget. If you think about it, it is so poetic that “it happened in Oinkland.”
I was told that if you live in Israel and use Chrome or Brave browsers, click the “+” for a new tab and press on the address field, it automatically shows a list of searches in Arabic.