Israellycool reader Lyn wrote to the British Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) regarding their decision to uphold the complaint of one lone individual, who took issue with an advert showing the Wailing Wall. Here’s the reply she received.
I appreciate that you strongly disagree with the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) decision to uphold a complaint against the Israeli Government Tourist Office.
I would like to reassure you that the ASA ruling does not prevent the Israeli Government Tourist Office from depicting the Western Wall or other parts of Jerusalem in future advertisements. The ruling seeks to ensure that future ads do not imply that places in the Occupied Territories are part of the State of Israel.
The ASA is duty bound to respond to concerns raised about advertisements that appear in the UK. Often we have to make decisions about subject matter in advertisements that polarise opinion and where strength of feeling and views are particularly pronounced. We realise our decision will disappoint some people.
But the ASA is responsible for ensuring the content of advertisements adhere to the strict rules laid down in the Advertising Code and do not contain anything that is likely to be misleading, harmful or offensive. In this instance, we considered the ad implied that the part of East Jerusalem featured in the image was part of the state of Israel, and was therefore likely to mislead.
Thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback.
Kind regards
Matt Wilson
Meanwhile, Monique writes:
We have set a Facebook page up here encouraging everyone to call and email the ASA with your feedback and it does not matter if you are overseas we need as many emails as possible. This is the result of ONE complaint and these ASA people sitting in judgement have made a decision that could really have huge ramifications for Israel. Of course, the IGTO need to appeal, but in the meantime we can make our voices heard.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10544537616…Join us, and please use it as a way to spread the word. We jammed the switchboard yesterday and also they gave up emailing on an individual basis and left a comment on the contact page of the ASA! We can at least show how angry we are at this nonsense.
Let’s fight this thing.
P.S Aren’t Israellycool readers the best?
