Geografail

Private school in Lebanon says sorry for showing Israel on map

Lycée Verdun apologizes after parent complains map for fourth-graders names Israel, not Palestine, as country’s southern neighbor

By AP 7 December 2017, 5:51 pm 3

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A class at the private Lycée Verdun in an upscale area of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. (Canal Verdun screenshot)

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A private French school in Lebanon has issued an apology following complaints from the parents of a fourth-grader that a map in geography class shows Israel — and not Palestine — as the country’s southern neighbor, violating the law.

Lebanon is technically at war with Israel, and Lebanese laws ban dealing with or recognizing Israel, including showing it on maps.

The private school issued an urgent statement late Wednesday, saying it respects Lebanon’s sovereignty and government school programs.

The incident came to public attention when the father of a nine-year-old girl posted the map on his Facebook page, saying “this is what my fourth grade daughter learned in class today.”

The case gained further attention on the day US President Donald Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.