Mazaj News (Web Desk) Technology company Microsoft has reportedly updated its digital mapping and location services by removing disputed Israeli labeling for areas in the occupied West Bank and restoring internationally recognized Palestinian geographic names, according to the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media (7amleh), as cited by Anadolu Agency.
The rights organization said the changes affect Microsoft’s search and mapping platforms, including the Bing service. Previously, some locations in the West Bank were labeled under “Judea and Samaria, Israel,” but these have now been replaced with the term “West Bank.”
The phrase “Judea and Samaria” is used by Israeli authorities to refer to the occupied West Bank. However, international law considers the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as Palestinian territory under Israeli occupation, and it is regarded as a core part of a future Palestinian state.
According to 7amleh, the updated labeling is seen as a corrective step aligned with international legal standards. The group’s advocacy manager, Lama Nazeeh, said technology firms should ensure compliance with international law and avoid contributing to what she described as the “digital erasure” of Palestinian place names and identity.
The organization also urged major tech platforms to maintain neutral and accurate geographic representation, especially in politically sensitive regions where naming conventions carry legal and diplomatic significance.