DFM Elkin appeals to Google 20 May 2013
Israeli Missions Around The World MFA Press Room 2013 DFM Elkin appeals to Google 20 May 2013

Deputy FM Elkin appeals to Google to reverse PA decision

  • 5/7/2013
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    Deputy FM Elkin appealed to Google to reverse its decision to change the PA's search engine page to 'Palestine'.
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    Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin Copyright: MFA
     
     
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    (Communicated by the Deputy Foreign Minister’s Spokesperson)
    This morning (Tuesday 7 May 2013) Google announced its decision to change the name of the search engine page of the Palestinian Authority to Palestine. Google further decided to change the term ‘Palestinian Authority’ to 'Palestine' on all products offered to the public.
    Following this decision, Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin sent a letter to Google CEO Larry Page in which he requested that the company re-examine its decision. The Deputy FM noted that this is not a step that will bring the two sides closer to the negotiating table, and added that any such decision will only serve to further solidify the Palestinian belief that unilateral steps will lead to recognition.
    "Google's decision is astonishing", Elkin wrote, "especially in light of the fact that it concerns the intervention of an international company in local politics. This type of intervention serves neither side in the long-term."   Deputy FM Elkin requested that the company renew the discussion, this time with the participation of Israeli representatives who will be able to reiterate the Israeli position of extending a hand of peace on every occasion, despite the unilateral activities of the Palestinian Authority that cause them time after time to miss opportunities to begin negotiating.  "Google is a global company that has changed the face of world technology and espouses the desire to connect people.  Their step actually contradicts this goal and prevents the sides from achieving a common dialogue" Elkin added. "It is my opinion that Google's eminence will cause it to review this issue and retract its erroneous decision."