HarperCollins Officially Apologizes For ‘Offensive’ Omission Of Israel From New Atlas
Having left Israel, the Jewish State, out of its latest edition of the HarperCollins Middle East Atlas, the publishing giant has now officially apologized for any offense caused and vowed to reprint the maps, including Israel, and to pulp the existing ones.
A spokesman for the company said today, as reported by the Daily Mail, that HarperCollins “regrets” the omission from the Collins Middle East Atlas and has removed it from sale, adding that all remaining stock will be destroyed.
HarperCollins took the controversial decision to omit the Jewish State of Israel from the map, due to the fact it would be “unacceptable” to its customers in the Gulf, including Jordan and Egypt.
Following Collins Bartholomew’s explanation for why Israel had been omitted, an official apology from HarperCollins was issued.
“HarperCollins regrets the omission of the name Israel from their Collins Middle East Atlas. This product has now been removed from sale in all territories and all remaining stock will be pulped. HarperCollins sincerely apologises for this omission and for any offence caused.”
Nevertheless, it seems that despite the New Year’s Day apology, Israel and Jews around the world now know HarperCollins made the decision to ignore the homeland of the Jewish people — a U.N. member state — for “business interests”; in other words, to not upset any Muslims.
As reported by the Tablet over the last few days, Bishop Declan Lang, chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Department of International Affairs, said, “The publication of this atlas will confirm Israel’s belief that there exists a hostility towards their country from parts of the Arab world. It will not help to build up a spirit of trust leading to peaceful co-existence.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Jane Clements, director of the Council of Christians and Jews, told the Tablet, “Maps can be a very powerful tool in terms of de-legitimising ‘the other’ and can lead to confusion rather than clarity. We would be keen to see relevant bodies ensure that all atlases anywhere reflect the official UN position on nations, boundaries and all political features.'”
