HarperCollins is on the defensive after the discovery they were selling an atlas of the Middle East that did not include Israel.

The Tablet, an international publication of the Catholic Church, discovered the atlas eliminating Israel.  The atlas was sold to English speaking schools in Muslim-majority countries in the Persian Gulf.

HarperCollins recalled the atlas after the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said they were harming the peace process.

“HarperCollins regrets the omission of the name Israel from their Collins Middle East Atlas. This product has now been removed from sale in all territories and all remaining stock will be pulped. HarperCollins sincerely apologizes for this omission and for any offence caused,” HarperCollins posted on their website.

“The publication of this atlas will confirm Israel’s belief that there exists a hostility towards their country from parts of the Arab world. It will not help to build up a spirit of trust leading to peaceful co-existence,” Bishop Declan Lang told The Tablet.

“Maps can be a very powerful tool in terms of de-legitimising ‘the other’ and can lead to confusion rather than clarity. We would be keen to see relevant bodies ensure that all atlases anywhere reflect the official UN position on nations, boundaries and all political features,” added Dr. Jane Clements, director of the Council of Christians and Jews.