7amleh Calls on LinkedIn not to Support Annexation Policies and Settlement Discourse

On 5 January 2026, 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, sent a formal letter to the management of LinkedIn, calling on the company to refrain from adopting or reproducing policies and narratives that contribute to the unlawful annexation of Palestinian land and the promotion of settlement-based discourse. This follows the documentation of geographic classifications on the platform that list Palestinian cities and areas in the West Bank under the label “Judea and Samaria, Israel.”

7amleh clarified that these digital practices cannot be separated from the prevailing political and legal context, as they present occupied Palestinian territory as though it were part of Israeli sovereignty, in clear disregard of internationally recognised legal reality. 7amleh emphasised that Palestine constitutes a single territory under occupation since 1967, comprising the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and is recognised as a State by 146 United Nations Member States, representing the overwhelming majority of the international community.

7amleh further noted that the adoption of such terminology aligns with Israel’s pursuit of de jure annexation, advanced through policies, legislation, and administrative practices on the ground, including the expansion of settlements and the imposition of permanent facts. International law, including the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, has affirmed that this situation is unlawful and that no actor, including private entities and corporations, may recognise or contribute to its maintenance, directly or indirectly.

From a digital-rights perspective, 7amleh stressed that geographic classifications on digital platforms are not neutral technical details, but a core component of information infrastructure that shapes representation, identity, and equal access in digital spaces. The use of terminology rooted in settlement discourse contributes to the digital normalisation of annexation and undermines Palestinians’ ability to access and use digital platforms on an equal footing, particularly in the contexts of employment, organising, public events, and professional networking.

7amleh underscored that global digital platforms, particularly those operating within the European Union, bear legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that their policies and digital architecture do not entrench or legitimise unlawful situations. 7amleh therefore called on LinkedIn to conduct an immediate review of its geographic classifications, clarify the criteria on which they are based, and take corrective steps to ensure alignment with international law, the international recognition of Palestine, and the company’s obligations with respect to digital rights and human rights.

You can access the letter sent today to LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky via the link here.