UK advertising agency removes images of kidnapped Israelis

A UK outdoor advertising company is being accused of an agreement breach after taking down images of kidnapped Israelis just six days into a two-week campaign.

The Israeli Embassy to the UK, alongside the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in London, had run a digital campaign with London Lites to show the images of those kidnapped by Hamas and still being held hostage in Gaza.

The agreement with the advertising company, London Lites, was for the digital campaign to last for two weeks. However, after six days in which the images were shown on giant screens throughout London, the company, in an unprecedented step, unilaterally decided to stop the campaign, claiming that it had received “complaints from the public” regarding the campaign.

In response, the Israeli embassy in London has said: “We regret that the ‘London Lites’ company caved to the threats of an extreme minority in the UK, which forcefully tries to limit freedom of expression. The Embassy is considering further steps against the company. The Embassy will continue to raise awareness for the 137 Israeli hostages that remain as hostages by Hamas in Gaza.

“There should be nothing controversial about raising awareness for innocent civilians being held hostage by a terror organisation. This is a humanitarian cause. This breach of contract plays into the hands of terrorists by actively ignoring the war crimes of Hamas and also by succumbing to intimidation and threats in London.”

A spokesperson for London Lites told Jewish News: “Following discussions with the Metropolitan Police about community safety concerns regarding billboard site advertising this campaign, we have regrettably taken the decision to cease advertising on community cohesion grounds.

“London Lites previously carried advertising for the Campaign Against Antisemitism and supports freedom of speech. However, we received an unprecedented number of concerns from the public in response to the advertising campaign last week, and the safety of all members of the local communities where we advertise is paramount.”