UKMW prompts 2nd correction in 2 weeks to Times of London claim Tel Aviv is Israel’s capital

Though most countries don't recognize Jerusalem as the capital (for diplomatic reasons pertaining the peace process), Israel declared Jerusalem its capital in 1949 (only 'West' Jerusalem until 1967) and the Knesset, Supreme Court, Prime Minister's Office, Bank of Israel and most government ministries are located in the city. So, it would seem intuitive for journalists and editors - whatever their views regarding the political issues at play - would use the word "Jerusalem" to convey this simple fact to readers.

For the second time in less than two weeks – and fourth time since June – UK Media Watch has prompted a correction at Times of London over the erroneous suggestion that Tel Aviv is Israel’s capital.  You can see the passage in question, in a Times of London article (Settlement building must stop, May to tell Israeli prime minister, Feb. 6th) co-authored by Catherine Philp and Lucy Fisher, in the following tweet:

We then followed up the tweet with an email to Times of London editors. Within a couple of hours, the passage was revised and the word “Tel Aviv” was replaced with “Israel”.

revised

In 2016, UKMW also prompted corrections on the same issue at the Guardian and Daily Mirror.

Such mistakes are especially curious since Tel Aviv has never in fact been Israel’s capital.

Though most countries don’t recognize Jerusalem as the capital (for diplomatic reasons pertaining the peace process), Israel declared Jerusalem its capital in 1949 (only ‘West’ Jerusalem until 1967) and the Knesset, Supreme Court, Prime Minister’s Office, Bank of Israel and most government ministries are located in the city.  

So, it would seem intuitive for journalists and editors – whatever their views regarding the political issues at play – to use the word “Jerusalem” to convey this simple fact to readers.

Related Articles
Written By
More from Adam Levick
Guardian is again on the wrong side of antisemitism debate
A bill that will soon be introduced in the British Parliament by...
Read More
Join the Conversation

1 Comment

Leave a comment
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *