British telecommunications giant EE has sparked controversy after sending welcome messages to customers arriving in Israel that referred to the country as "Occupied Palestinian Territories," triggering calls for legal action and widespread condemnation on social media.
Screenshots shared in the "Israelis in London" Facebook group show the standard roaming notification message beginning with "Welcome to the Occupied Palestinian Territories," followed by standard rate information for calls, texts, and data usage.
"Is this a reasonable message to receive?" wrote one Israeli customer who shared the screenshot, indicating plans to pursue legal action against the company. "I'd like to know if others have received similar messages."
This isn't an isolated incident for EE. Investigation reveals that on October 10, 2023 - just three days after the Hamas terror attacks - the company posted on social media about providing "free calls, messages and data for EE customers from Israel to the Occupied Palestinian Territories."
The incident raises serious questions about corporate neutrality in international conflicts, customer service policies for diverse user bases, and potential discrimination against Israeli customers. It also highlights the challenges global telecommunications companies face when operating in geopolitically sensitive regions, particularly regarding automated messaging systems and territorial designations.
While the messaging has sparked outrage within Israeli communities, responses on EE's official social media channels have largely focused on general service issues rather than the political controversy.
EE has not yet responded to requests for comment on this developing story.
Walla News contributed to this article.