HarperCollins UK pulls Middle East atlas that cited 'local preferences' for omitting Israel

A leading publisher has pulled an atlas tailored for students in the Middle East that omits any references to Israel.

Facing international criticism, HarperCollins UK issued a statement this week apologizing for the book, published by the subsidiary Collins Bartholomew. The Anti-Defamation League said in a statement Friday that it "welcomed HarperCollins' swift apology."

The Tablet, a London-based Catholic weekly, had reported that Collins Bartholomew was citing "local preferences" for leaving out Israel from the "Collins Primary Geography Atlas For The Middle East." The book, which came out in June, was designed for English-speaking schools in the region.