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Which Middle Eastern Airlines Scrub Israel From Their Maps?

Some popular Middle Eastern airlines completely erase Israel’s name off otherwise comprehensive world maps, regardless of if they fly there or not. Why is this?

For example, Qatar Airways and Saudia and Kuwait Airways all omit Israel, the Economist reported.

Still other airlines take another approach.

Egypt Air does include Israel on its map — but doesn’t indicate that the airline flies there. They do — but only through a specially-operated subsidiary.

Many of these carriers are state-owned. And many — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar — do not recognize Israel. Some might also be “pandering to the preferences of their customers,” the Economist reported.

Many airlines do not accept passengers with Israeli passports, but none explicitly bars Jews.

Email Sam Kestenbaum at [email protected]

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