A recent controversy erupted over a map published by Britannica Kids, the children’s version of the historic English-language encyclopedia. The map labeled the entire area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea as “Palestine”, effectively erasing Israel. The accompanying caption stated that Palestine is “located between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea”.
This phrasing sparked criticism from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), a pro-Israel legal advocacy group based in the UK. They accused Britannica of promoting the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, which is widely interpreted as a call for the elimination of the State of Israel.
Britannica Removes Map, Updates Description
Following a formal complaint from UKLFI and inquiries by The Telegraph, Britannica removed the controversial map from its website. The encyclopedia also revised the accompanying text to clarify: “Today, the State of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are located in this area.”
The original entry failed to distinguish between Israel, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, and included a description that UKLFI said mirrored activist slogans used by groups like Hamas. Britannica’s text previously suggested Palestine encompassed the entirety of the area “from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean,” an assertion UKLFI called both politically charged and historically inaccurate.
Accusations of Historical Revisionism
Caroline Turner, executive director of UKLFI, argued that Britannica’s presentation erased Jewish history and promoted a misleading narrative to children. She stressed that applying the term “Palestine” retroactively to the entire region ignored centuries of Jewish presence, including the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
British-Jewish children’s author Sherry Black, who first raised the issue in late 2024, told The Telegraph: “Accuracy is crucial in children’s education. I was shocked a reputable source would publish such distortions. It promotes an agenda that undermines Israel’s legitimacy.”
The term “Palestine,” historians note, was first introduced by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 CE after the Bar Kokhba revolt, specifically to diminish Jewish ties to the land of Judea.
Britannica Responds
Theodore Pappas, executive editor at Britannica, responded to the backlash:
“For over 250 years, Britannica has been known for balanced and accurate content. We will review UKLFI’s concerns seriously and make any necessary adjustments.”
The incident has intensified ongoing debates about educational content, the use of politicized narratives in school materials, and the broader issue of antisemitism in digital learning platforms.
