The map and the territories

[nancylebov]

The publisher HarperCollins has been accused of publishing a book used by schools in the Middle East that contains a map in which Israel has been omitted.

I don't think they've just been accused, I think they've done it.



When I first saw the headline, I was hoping it was a weird computer glitch, but HarperCollins has defended it.

However, Collins Bartholomew, a subsidiary of HarperCollins, said that supplying maps including Israel would be “unacceptable” to customers in the Gulf countries and that the map was a response to “local preferences”.

Update: HarperCollins is withdrawing the atlases

“HarperCollins regrets the omission of the name Israel from their Collins Middle East Atlas," the statement from the U.S.-based publishing giant says. "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.”

I expect that the atlases which were distributed will become collectors items. I wonder what HarperCollins will do to supply atlases for the Gulf countries, or if they'll bail out on the contracts.