An unauthorized fake advertising poster has been removed from a bus stop opposite the Houses of Parliament in London after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) contacted the poster site operator.

Yesterday UKLFI received many complaints from individuals about an offensive, misleading, and provocative poster at the bus stop, which was displayed in a prominent position opposite the Houses of Parliament.  UKLFI contacted JC Decaux, which owns the advertising frames at the bus stop and by the end of the day the poster had been removed and replaced. As JC Decaux told UKLFI “the brandalism was removed.”

The poster’s slogan, in huge capital letters was “SMASH BRITISH COMPLICITY WITH APARTHEID ISRAEL” followed by statistics of dead men, women and children and “when will it stop”.  This was written over an image of a massive hammer, poised to hit Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

UKLFI received numerous comments from the public including:

“What is the council doing allowing such appalling such a highly provocative political messages into a public place. It is outrageous!  The poster features a highly charged political statement in a prominent public location without context or balance.”

“Very concerning advertising”

“I believe this is wholly inappropriate for a public transport setting frequented by people of all backgrounds, including children, hospital patients, and visitors. Public advertising spaces should not be used to disseminate divisive or inflammatory political messages.”

“The poster labels Israel as an “apartheid” state. This is a highly contested, politically motivated allegation which is not an established legal fact. “

“Presenting such a controversial and disputed claim as a factual statement in public advertising is misleading and irresponsible. It risks misleading the public and perpetuating misinformation about a highly sensitive and complex international issue.”

“The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Code requires that advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence, particularly on the grounds of race, nationality, or political belief. This poster risks causing distress and offence to Jewish members of the public, British citizens who support Israel, and those who oppose the use of inflammatory and politicised language in public spaces.”

A UKLFI spokesperson commented “We are pleased that JC Decaux acted so quickly to remove this unauthorised and offensive poster, which was spreading false propaganda, and distressing many people”.