Apple has been accused of antisemitism after displaying the Palestinian flag instead of the Israeli flag when typing in the capital, Jerusalem.
Users with devices running on the latest software update for the iPhone, iOS 17.4.1, have noticed the prompt in their predictive text function, however not every user sees it.
The issue came to public attention when Countdown presenter Rachel Riley posted her concerns on the social media site X on Wednesday morning.
Riley, who is an ambassador for the UK advocacy group Centre for Countering Digital Hate, tagged Apple and its CEO Tim Cook in her post, asking for a response, pointing out how flags do not appear for a long list of other capital cities.
The emoji was appearing when typing in Jerusalem
Getty Images/GB News
Riley wrote: "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.
"Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of antisemitism, which is itself a form of racism against Jewish people.
"Please explain whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers. Sincerely, a Jewish woman concerned about the global rise in antisemitism."
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Demonstrations have been held in Israel following the October 7 attack
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GB News has approached Apple for a comment.
Jerusalem is a city of massive importance for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Israel remains in control of the city with its Parliament the Knesset, based in west Jerusalem.
In 2017, Donald Trump reversed decades of US policy by recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Rishi Sunak scrapped plans to move the UK Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2022. The move was first put forward by his predecessor Liz Truss, who ordered a review into whether the UK should follow the Trump administration in moving the embassy.
Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
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It comes as Israel says aid is moving into Gaza more quickly after international pressure to increase access following concerns about a humanitarian crisis.
However, the exact amount is disputed and the United Nations says it is still much less than the bare minimum to meet humanitarian needs.
Six months into Israel's air and ground campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel, the Palestinian enclave faces famine and widespread disease with nearly all its inhabitants now homeless.
Aid agencies have complained that Israel is not ensuring enough access for food, medicine and other needed humanitarian supplies, and the European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has accused it of using starvation as a weapon of war.
