AfterDawn: News

Apple removes 'ThirdIntifada' application

Apple removes Arabic language anti-Israel application from App Store.

"We removed this app from the App Store because it violates the developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people," Apple said. The application was only made available on the App Store several days ago. Intifada refers to two violent uprisings against Israel in the past.



Earlier this year, Facebook removed a "Third Intifada" page for much the same reasons. In that case, the page was originally left online despite complaints, and then later removed. Facebook confirmed the decision to remove it came after the calls for peaceful protest turned to incitements of violence.

The application removed by Apple gave links to nationalistic Palestinian material, and listed forthcoming protests and other events. Israeli Minister of Public Affairs and the Diaspora Yuli Edelstein, wrote to Steve Jobs recently to express disappointment that the application was available.

"From browsing through the articles, stories and photographs that appear in the app, it is clear that this is an anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist application that in fact, as its name suggests, calls for an uprising against Israel," the letter stated.

Edelstein's ministry applauded Apple's swift response on Thursday. The application was developed by a Dubai-based firm.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 25 Jun 2011 10:17

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• 5 comments

• KillerBug

  I might not like what they are saying, but I still think they should be able to say it.
  

  http://killerbug666.wordpress.com/

  25.6.2011 12:41 #1

• scorpNZ

  Goes to show freedom of speech is just a myth
  

  25.6.2011 13:09 #2

• Azuran

  Originally posted by KillerBug: I might not like what they are saying, but I still think they should be able to say it. Agreed.
  

  25.6.2011 14:04 #3

• Dela

  Originally posted by scorpNZ: Goes to show freedom of speech is just a myth You kidding me? Have you any idea how many white supremacist, neo-nazi, religious extremist etc. websites exist online and cannot be touched? All they have to worry about is some hate-watch group might list them as a hate group, or they might be added to some advertisers' block list.
  
  Freedom of Speech and of expression is vitally important to the Western way of life (and it's great to see it becoming an issue in the east), but freedom of speech does not mean the right to say _anything_ or publish _anything_ under _any_ circumstances. In this case (and in the Facebook case before it), the app/profile went outside the acceptable usage policies etc. of Facebook and Apple.
  
  In other words, if they want to call for a third Intifada, they can (and do) do so on their own websites, but they cannot piggyback on Facebook or through Apple to do so. They agreed to these terms when signing up for both services, so tough.

  25.6.2011 14:10 #4

• omendata

  Israel beat every Arab nation to take the land.
  
  Its theirs what would the arabs do with it anyway - what have the done with any of the land except graze goats - they are just like the nazis in fact nobody mentions the muslim legions that fought with the nazis during world war II.
  
  They are as bad as Hitlers nazis the muslims want rid of the jews non stop no wonder after 1000 of years of persecution the jews are finally standing up for themselves.
  
  Get a reality check the arabs are just jeaous what the jews have built and accoomplished.
  
  Most of the new technology we enjoy has been developed in Israel or by jews so stop complaining and see who the real eneny of the west is and its not Israel.
  
  

  2.7.2011 12:43 #5