Apple has released a partial update to its iPhone software which stops the Palestinian flag emoji being suggested when users type the word “Jerusalem”.

The issue had sparked controversy, with critics noting the names of other cities do not prompt flag emojis to appear.

Both Israel and the Palestinians hold competing claims to the ancient city.

Apple previously told the BBC the flag’s appearance when Jerusalem was typed had been inadvertent.

The issue, according to Apple, related to unintended behaviour in a feature called predictive emoji. iPhones can suggest emojis when words are typed in messages, and other apps.

Users noticed the flag started being suggested after the company rolled out iOS 17.4.1 – the latest publicly available version of the software on which its mobile devices run.

Critics such as TV presenter Rachel Riley had demanded Apple explain why the flag appeared, particularly when other cities do not produce flag emojis when typed.

“Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of antisemitism,” she wrote on social media.

Read Original Article