KUALA LUMPUR: A new verb, 'Israel,' has been added to the popular crowdsourced online dictionary, Urban Dictionary, stirring both interest and controversy on social media.

The term is defined as when a person claims something that belongs to someone else as their own, akin to theft.


The definition includes an illustrative example of word usage where it describes a scenario of someone asking to share a table at a coffee shop but then requests the original occupant to leave the table because they have a meeting.

The screenshot of the new definition was posted by a user named Sarah Wilkinson on her X (formerly Twitter) account yesterday, and it has already garnered significant attention, with over 41,000 views and counting.

In her tweet, Sarah explained the meaning of the new verb and stated: "The verb to 'Israel' has been added to the Urban Dictionary to mean when a person claims your property as their own, aka theft."


The addition of this verb, 'Israel,' comes against the backdrop of ongoing concerns and global debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, characterised by allegations of apartheid, oppression and war crimes.

Supporting Sarah's tweet, a lot of comments have been posted on the subject. Some users, like @soapheros, have used this opportunity to express their criticism.

This alteration was meant to mock Israel's use of this particular phrase in defence of their actions, particularly in light of the bombing incidents involving Palestinian civilians, including children.

Meanwhile, user @Sandhanitizer84 said: "Oh no, they (Israel) might silence the Urban Dictionary now".

Urban Dictionary is a website founded in 1999 and is known for its crowdsourced collection of slang words and phrases, with some definitions dating back to 1999, although the majority were contributed in 2003.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nst-viral/2023/...34qWEXFTgjOiGWQ

He has Israeled our bags, we have to lodge a police report.

"She divorced him and israeled his house."

ccp israeled 9 dash line