A new Apple software update has caused controversy (Picture: Getty)
Some iPhone users have spotted a controversial bug in the latest update, which suggests the Palestinian flag when typing in the word ‘Jerusalem’ in messages.
Tech giant Apple said that it is aware of the bug within the predictive text emoji in the keyboard and is working on a fix that will be made available in the next iOS update.
The bug was first spotted by Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, who voiced her opinion on X.
She wrote: ‘Dear @Apple, @AppleSupport, @tim_cook
‘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. This didn’t occur on my phone immediately before this update.’
Ms Riley then lists the countires where no flag appears when typing in the name.
‘Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of antisemitism, which is itself a form of racism against Jewish people,’ she adds.
‘Please explain whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers.’
A screenshot from an English UK keyboard
Apple told the BBC that the change which appeared with the release of the latest update, was not intentional and the issue will be solved in a future update, which has not been yet announced.
However, the bug only seems to appear on English setting keyboards for the UK, Singapore and South Africa.
In response, Ms Riley wrote on X: ‘In my opinion a multinational company like Apple would not want to admit publicly that this was an intentional act by an employee/employees hence the description “bug” but I hope at least internally those responsible will no longer be working for the company.’
Rachel Riley, centre, at a march against antisemitism (Picture: Guy Smallman/Getty)
The status of Jerusalem has been a long-running dispute in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Palestinians say that the eastern part of Jerusalem belongs to them as part of its capital, but Israel is claiming the whole city.
East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were captured by Israel from Jordan and Egypt in a war in 1967. Since then, it has been viewed internationally as occupied Palestinian territory.
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered to be holy to all three Abrahamic religions – Islam, Judaism and Christianity, and holds monuments of religious significance to all three religions.
Metro.co.uk has approached Apple for a comment.