Advertising watchdog rules Israeli tourist brochure map was not misleading
A Israeli government tourist brochure did not “misleadingly imply” that the West Bank and Golan Heights are internationally recognised as part of Israel, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled.
Patrick Maguire is a reporter at the Jewish News.
by Patrick Maguire
A Israeli government tourist brochure did not “misleadingly imply” that the West Bank and Golan Heights are internationally recognised as part of Israel, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled.
The brochure, distributed at a Christian exhibition event in May and hosted on the tourist board’s website in August, was designed to attract religious tourists considering pilgrimages to Israel – but its inclusion of a simplified map led to complaints to the regulator.
The Israeli Government Tourist Office (IGTO) had contested the advert had been “non-partisan” and “showed a fair and balanced view of the historical, religious and cultural activities available in Israel and the surrounding areas”.
Its map featured two separate keys, which used different colours to denote both elevation and areas of Palestinian responsibility “for civil affairs, internal security and public order” – marked in light pink – and Palestinian areas with “Israeli responsibility for security of Israelis” – marked in yellow.
The Gaza strip was marked in light pink, while areas of the West Bank were marked variously in light pink, yellow and colours showing its elevation.
Areas in the north and south of the West Bank were labelled “SAMARIA” and “JUDEAN DESERT” respectively, as per their Biblical names.
The Israeli-occupied Golan Heights region of Syria was marked “GOLAN”, and was coloured to reflect its elevation.
The map also marked areas of special significance to Christians including Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, and the Golan Heights – as well as the archaic geographic terms for the north and south of the West Bank.
In its response to the complaint, the IGTO argued those using the map would be aware “the status of the territories in question was the subject of international dispute”.
The Advertising Standards Authority – who in March banned an IGTO ad for implying Jerusalem’s Old City is part of Israel – chose not to uphold the complaint.
Its assessment read: “We considered that the average consumer who sought out information on IGTO’s website about visiting Israel as a tourist, and who under the Code was assumed to be reasonably well-informed, observant and circumspect, was likely to be aware that the status of some of the territories in question was the subject of much international dispute, and that that could have implications on travel and security procedures in those areas.
“We considered that those consumers for whom the disputed status of the territories was a significant issue that would affect their decision to visit were also likely to be aware of the dispute and were therefore also unlikely to be misled into taking a transactional decision they otherwise would not have taken.
“We therefore concluded the ads did not breach the Code.”
The IGTO had argued it would be “unduly onerous and inappropriate” for its tourism adverts to include “political statements” when referring to disputed territories.
Following the decision, they told Jewish News: “The IGTO is pleased the ASA’s decision was positive for us, the map in question meets with the UK advertising standards which is something we adhere to. The decision is a clear message to organisations like the BDS who campaign against Israel, that their effort to deter and dissuade will be in vain. We work tirelessly to promote Israel as a holiday destination producing many brochures and travel aids to inspire and help visitors make the most of each visit to Israel. Our visitors are well informed individuals and are aware that different areas may hold different status on an international level.”
A similar case in 2009 saw a tourism poster which displayed Gaza, the West Bank and Golan Heights as part of Israel banned by the ASA following complaints from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
