The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no strangers in the global arena with the recent spat of tensions resulting in a full-on war between Hamas and the Israeli Defense Force. China, a staunch ally of Hamas, has taken to omitting Israel from its vast digital map in what can be seen as a direct sign of support for the Palestinian-based political-military organization.
In an age of technology where digital maps have become a staple for travelers, this move from China holds immense implications. Most of the Chinese online geographical databases such as Baidu Maps, AutoNavi and the state-run China Map have all purged any mention of Israel from its maps, leaving only a huge blank area in place of where the Jewish state should actually be located.
These censoring of maps has caused dismay from many around the world who believe it serves as a sign of China’s blatant disregard for the sovereignty of the nation. China’s silencing of Israel’s existence has also been seen as a move that perpetuates a false image of a Middle East where Israel does not exist.
Apart from its influence on travelers and foreign expats in China, this incident has had a deep-seated effect for Israelis living in the country. While many of the severely limited Israeli expatriates have been resorting to private-run maps to get around, it is also worth noting that many of the young Chinese people who are uninitiated to the war are perhaps completely unaware that Israel even exists in the Middle East.
The war between Hamas and Israel has been ongoing for far too long, and for China to effectively erase Israel from its maps despite the ongoing conflict has served to convey the nation’s support for the Palestinian-based party. It has potentially further deepened the rift between Israel and China, and will certainly play a major role in the future developments of this ongoing saga between the two nations.