Apple has resolved a bug in its emoji keyboard that recommended the Palestinian flag when users typed in the word “Jerusalem.” The issue was addressed in the latest beta software release of iOS 17.5, shortly after Apple acknowledged it and promised a fix.
The bug, which upset some users on social media, was discovered recently and sparked questions about whether it was intentional. A Twitter post by an iPhone user, viewed over 2.3 million times, questioned Apple’s awareness of the error. Apple clarified that it was a mistake and not intentionally programmed into the keyboard.
While the history of the region and territorial claims in Jerusalem are complex, the bug added to tensions amid the ongoing dispute over the city’s status. Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it as part of its capital, a move not recognized by much of the international community. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.
