Microsoft Adheres to International Law, Updates West Bank Map Designations

Tech giant Microsoft has taken a significant step towards aligning its digital mapping services with international law by removing problematic Israeli designations for the occupied West Bank. In a move welcomed by the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media (7amleh), Microsoft has replaced terms such as 'Judea and Samaria, Israel' with the more accurate and internationally recognized 'West Bank' on its platforms, including the search engine Bing.

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Judea and Samaria, Israel

This correction is crucial because 'Judea and Samaria' is an Israeli term used to designate the occupied West Bank, a territory that international law dictates must be recognized as Palestinian land occupied by Israel. The West Bank is a fundamental component of the future Palestinian state, and its geographical identity is a critical aspect of Palestinian national aspirations.

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West Bank

Lama Nazeeh, 7amleh's advocacy manager, described the changes as a "necessary correction." The organization is calling on other technology companies to follow Microsoft's lead, emphasizing the importance of complying with international law and actively refusing to contribute to the "digital erasure of Palestinian geography." This action by Microsoft is a positive development in acknowledging and respecting the internationally established status of Palestinian territories.

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The changes represent a “necessary correction,”