Furious Rachel Riley slams Apple after Palestinian flag is suggested when typing ‘Jerusalem’ into her phone after update
RACHEL Riley has slammed Apple after a Palestinian flag was suggested when she typed “Jerusalem” into her phone.
Users upgrading their software to version iOS 17.4.1 are reportedly presented with the flag emoji when typing in the capital of Israel.
Taking to social media platform Twitter/X, Countdown star Rachel furiously called out Apple CEO Tim Cook.
She penned: “Dear @Apple @AppleSupport @tim_cook.
“I’ve just upgraded my software to version iOS 17.4.1, and now, when I type the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, I’m offered the Palestinian flag emoji.
“This didn’t occur on my phone immediately before this update.
“Below is a (non-exhaustive) list of capital cities that do not offer their nation’s flags, let alone the wrong one.
“Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of antisemitism, which is itself a form of racism against Jewish people.
“Please explain whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers.
“Sincerely, a Jewish woman concerned about the global rise in antisemitism.”
The Sun has approached Apple for comment.
Mum-of-two Rachel, who has previously said she has been left “shaking with fear”, has been vocal in support of the Jewish community amid the Israel Palestine war.
The terrified 38-year-old is also already being escorted to and from the studios for filming – costing her thousands in protection costs.
She first hired the security in October of last year and still believes she needs support after ongoing trolling online.
An insider said: “It’s been a really difficult time for Rachel and she is determined to keep being a voice for the community.
“The security has given her that extra confidence. It’s not ideal, but she feels like it’s important.”
She has spoken of her upset and concern amid the ongoing turmoil, telling MailOnline last year: “Sometimes I go online and I’m terrified by this overwhelming amount of people who seem to be baying for blood.
“For me and my Jewish friends, the pain and stress are something we are all struggling with.
“We are crying when we wake up, we are struggling to sleep and the images of carnage are hard to get out of your head.”
Rachel, who is married to ex Strictly star Pasha Kovalev, has previously spoken out to condemn Anti-Semitism in the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn in the past.
It’s not the first time she has required extra security – back in 2019 she was forced to get help after a barrage of online abuse.
She told OK! Magazine in the past: “When I made an innocuous comment about anti-Semitism in [then leader] Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party in 2019, it promoted an avalanche of abuse among his supporters.
“I wasn’t making a party-political point. It was because I’m Jewish, although I don’t practise the religion.”
She added: “I had to have extra security at Countdown and the stress caused my then unborn child to stop kicking for two days.
“In the end I got a lawyer and we contacted a handful of the worst offenders.”