Gibraltar cancels a joint issue with Israel

Israel announced a joint issue with the British Territory of Gibraltar to be issued in 2011 celebrating the easternmost (Israel) and westernmost (Gibraltar) extent of the Mediterranean Sea. The designed stamp depicted the rock overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar on the left side along with the flag with the coat of arms of the territory. The right side included the equally iconic Tower of David in the Old City of Jerusalem with the flag of Israel flying above.

Agreements between the two postal authorities were finalized and all was good.

But after the stamps were printed, the issue was canceled by the British Foreign Office. Although Gibraltar is supposed to be independent of Britain in most of its affairs, its foreign affairs are subordinate to the British authorities.

The stamp was ready for distribution before the Foreign Office intervened. The Foreign Office had no problem with the appearance of the Rock of Gibraltar on an Israel-Gibraltar “friendship stamp”. But the inclusion of the Israeli landmark, “situated on disputed territory in Jerusalem” as the Foreign Office put it, led it to demand a redesign, and for Israel Post to cancel the stamp.

An Israeli source said: “If 3000 years of Jewish residence in Jerusalem is considered controversial, the mere 300 years that Britain has been in Gibraltar would certainly be a problem".

Officials in the British territory compensated Israel Post for the cost of printing the stamps, but what an insult!

In 2022 a joint stamp was issued. What do you think?