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A Palestinian rights organisation 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media have released a new report entitled " Mapping Segregation -Google Maps and the Human Rights of Palestinians showing how Google Maps is putting the lives of Palestinians in danger by "contradicting Google's responsibilities under international human rights frameworks" and perpetuating a narriative that "serves the interests of the Israeli government". In particular, it focuses on Google Maps' representation of
geography and political boundaries in Israel and the occupied
territories, including Google's use of conditions and roadmap.
In its report, 7amleh, which describes itself as a "non-profit organisation aimed at enabling the Palestinian and Arab civil society to effectively utilise the tools of digital advocacy through professional capacity building, defending digital rights and building influential digital media campaigns", has shown how what seems to be a simple leaning towards Israeli bias actually has a huge impact on Palestinians.
In its report, 7amleh, which describes itself as a "non-profit organisation aimed at enabling the Palestinian and Arab civil society to effectively utilise the tools of digital advocacy through professional capacity building, defending digital rights and building influential digital media campaigns", has shown how what seems to be a simple leaning towards Israeli bias actually has a huge impact on Palestinians.
The report looked at four main aspects in which Google is complicit in erasing Palestine from the map: the erasure of Palestinian villages under Google Maps, the legal implications of Google's actions, the way route planning can put Palestinian lives in danger and the implication of the terminology Google uses.
There is a clear discrepancy of the visibility of Palestinian villages and Israeli villages on Google Maps, according to 7amleh. Palestinian villages in the Naqab/Negev desert are made nearly invisible, unless they are being searched for by someone who already knows exactly where the village is, according to the report.
"Google Maps does not contain the search term" Palestine "and rarely contains the names of Palestinian areas not recognized by Israel, while containing names and locating illegal Israeli settlements without any problems. The maps also neglect to express hundreds of roadblocks, permanent flight points and air traffic controls, and as Israel has done on the West Bank, violates the Palestinian right to free movement. Consequently, the Google Maps routes are for Israeli and illegal Israeli settlers and may be dangerous to Palestinians. "
"Google Maps does not contain the search term" Palestine "and rarely contains the names of Palestinian areas not recognized by Israel, while containing names and locating illegal Israeli settlements without any problems. The maps also neglect to express hundreds of roadblocks, permanent flight points and air traffic controls, and as Israel has done on the West Bank, violates the Palestinian right to free movement. Consequently, the Google Maps routes are for Israeli and illegal Israeli settlers and may be dangerous to Palestinians. "
Other examples the report highlighted is the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, following US President Donald Trump's controversial decree and the erasure of Palestinian cities from maps. Palestine is called on Google Maps in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly in November 2012 and that, on the basis of Resolution 181 from the United Nations General Assembly.Google Maps contains all "unidentified" Palestinian villages in
the first layer on their maps and gives the same degree of detail when
representing Palestinian villages in area C.
In accordance with Article 49 in the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 55 of the Hague Regulations, Google Maps must refer to and distinguish illegal Israeli settlements within the West Bank.It is important to clearly refer to areas A, B and C on the West Bank on Google Maps and to map all movement restrictions and restricted streets.
The State of Palestine was recognised by 136 of the 193 member United Nations General Assembly( UNGA) in 2012, but has never been labelled as such on Google Maps. Israel is not only identified as a country, but Jerusalem, which was granted international status in UNGA resolution 181 and remains a final status issue, is marked as its capital. While a West Bank label does exist, Israeli settlements, there appear as if they are located inside Israel. Meanwhile Palestinian villages unrecognised by Israel, both in the occupied territories and within the Green Line are either misrepresented or entirely left out, while the names and locations of Israeli settlements are clearly noticeable. Even relatively small Jewish Israeli communities appear on the map, but Palestinian villages are only visible when extremely, almost intentionally, zoomed in on.
In accordance with Article 49 in the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 55 of the Hague Regulations, Google Maps must refer to and distinguish illegal Israeli settlements within the West Bank.It is important to clearly refer to areas A, B and C on the West Bank on Google Maps and to map all movement restrictions and restricted streets.
The State of Palestine was recognised by 136 of the 193 member United Nations General Assembly( UNGA) in 2012, but has never been labelled as such on Google Maps. Israel is not only identified as a country, but Jerusalem, which was granted international status in UNGA resolution 181 and remains a final status issue, is marked as its capital. While a West Bank label does exist, Israeli settlements, there appear as if they are located inside Israel. Meanwhile Palestinian villages unrecognised by Israel, both in the occupied territories and within the Green Line are either misrepresented or entirely left out, while the names and locations of Israeli settlements are clearly noticeable. Even relatively small Jewish Israeli communities appear on the map, but Palestinian villages are only visible when extremely, almost intentionally, zoomed in on.
Unlike other cities or villages, Bedouin communities in the Negev, which existed before Israel was established, are marked by their tribal designation, rather than the actual names of their villages. Considering that these villages are under the constant threat of demolition by Israeli authorities, their misrepresentation or omission from the map becomes "a method of enforcing the eradication of unrecognisd Palestinian villages," the report argues.
The report concludes that in addition to biased mapping, 7amleh says Google prioritizes Israeli citizens when offering routes. The map ignores the segregated road system in Israel-Palestine and the resulting movement restrictions, such as checkpoints and road blocks, that affect Palestinians. For example, to navigate from Bethlehem to Ramallah, all routes suggested by Google Maps require crossing from the West Bank to Jerusalem, and then back to the occupied territories. This is only possible for people with Israeli IDs or foreign passports. It is illegal for Palestinians to access Israeli-only roads, which usually connect settlements, and the consequences of doing so may include arrest, delays, detention and confiscation of cars. Combined with Google Map's refusal to display internationally recognised borders, Palestinian villages and cities, this endangers the lives of the Palestinians and approves the Israeli state story that contradicts international law.
The report concludes that in addition to biased mapping, 7amleh says Google prioritizes Israeli citizens when offering routes. The map ignores the segregated road system in Israel-Palestine and the resulting movement restrictions, such as checkpoints and road blocks, that affect Palestinians. For example, to navigate from Bethlehem to Ramallah, all routes suggested by Google Maps require crossing from the West Bank to Jerusalem, and then back to the occupied territories. This is only possible for people with Israeli IDs or foreign passports. It is illegal for Palestinians to access Israeli-only roads, which usually connect settlements, and the consequences of doing so may include arrest, delays, detention and confiscation of cars. Combined with Google Map's refusal to display internationally recognised borders, Palestinian villages and cities, this endangers the lives of the Palestinians and approves the Israeli state story that contradicts international law.
Google should take care over this issue, in such a politically sensitive region and correct their mistakes, people see maps as a lot more than just a collection of data points, furthermore this is putting lives at risk. As technology advances, online maps are crucial for instant and easy route planning. For Palestinians, however, using Google Maps could get them killed.
Ultimately, Google is one of the largest sharks for people to acquire information. They know this and they are using their power irresponsibly.Google's unofficial motto is 'don't be evil' - but Google at this moment in time is complicit in the Israeli government's erasure of Palestine.
To read full report go here http://www.7amleh.org/ms/
And please consider signing following petition to ask Google to stop erasing Palestine.
Mapping Segregation
