Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Microsoft has updated its digital maps, reversing a decision to adopt Israeli labels of Palestinian places in the occupied West Bank, after sustained pressure from Palestinian digital rights advocates. The change marks a visible shift in how major tech platforms label occupied Palestinian territory.
The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media (7amleh) announced on Monday that Microsoft removed the label “Judea & Samaria, Israel” from its Bing mapping services. The company restored the internationally recognized term “West Bank” across location-based tools, including Bing.
A Quds News Network check of Bing Maps confirmed the update. Searches now display “West Bank” instead of the previous Israeli designation.
Activists say the change goes beyond cartography. The term “Judea and Samaria” reflects an Israeli political narrative that is part of a broader annexation strategy.
Under international law, the West Bank, including the eastern part of Jerusalem, remains occupied Palestinian territory. It forms a central part of any future Palestinian state.
Lama Nazeeh, advocacy manager at 7amleh, described Microsoft’s move as a “necessary correction.” She urged global tech companies to align their platforms with international law and avoid contributing to the “digital erasure” of Palestinian geography.
The update follows direct advocacy efforts led by 7amleh. The group challenged the misleading geographic labeling that normalized Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Microsoft has not issued an official statement about the changes so far. The company has yet to clarify how the previous labels appeared or what triggered the update internally.
The silence adds to ongoing scrutiny of major technology firms and their role in ethnic cleansing.
The digital shift comes as conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate. Israeli forces have intensified raids across the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These operations include arrests, killings, home demolitions, and the displacement of Palestinian families.
At the same time, Israeli settlement expansion continues despite widespread international condemnation. Palestinian officials warn that these actions could lead to formal annexation of what remains of Palestine.
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark opinion. The court declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and the eastern part of Jerusalem.
