World-renowned publishing house HarperCollins recently published an atlas for Gulf states which omitted Israel from its map of the Middle East, reported British Catholic weekly The Tablet. However, following public outcry, it has removed the atlas from circulation.

The publishing house is well-respected for its atlases, produced by subsidiary Collins Bartholomew. Yet a representative told The Tablet they had opted to remove all references to Israel from its atlas for English-speaking schools in the Muslim-majority Gulf region due to “local preferences”, which deem any mention of the Jewish state “unacceptable”.

One state’s customs officials refused to allow any school atlases into the country until Israel had been struck from the books by hand. Although the new atlas identifies Gaza, Jordan and Syria’s borders, Israel’s are completely erased.

Bishop Declan Lang, chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales’ Department of International Affairs, told The Tablet, “The publication of this atlas will confirm Israel’s belief that there exists a hostility towards their country from parts of the Arab world. It will not help to build up a spirit of trust leading to peaceful co-existence.”

Dr. Jane Clements, director of the Council of Christians and Jews, emphasized just how dangerous such an atlas could be. “Maps can be a very powerful tool in terms of de-legitimising ‘the other’ and can lead to confusion rather than clarity” she told the journal. “We would be keen to see relevant bodies ensure that all atlases anywhere reflect the official UN position on nations, boundaries and all political features.”

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, shared his concerns over the atlas with Algemeiner. He argued the publishing house ought to “take a stand”, telling the Gulf states “if you are asking us to supply you with world famous atlases, don’t tell us what to put in there.

“HarperCollins should say, ‘our job is to present you with reality,’” Cooper said.

The embarrassed publishing company has since issued a statement of apology, saying the atlas “has now been removed from sale in all territories and all remaining stock will be pulped. HarperCollins sincerely apologises for this omission and for any offence caused.”