Australians for Palestine: removal of billboard a breach of freedom of expression
The advocacy group behind the controversial free Palestine billboard which was pulled down by Ooh Media Australians for Palestine, has described the removal of the ad was a breach of its freedom of expression.
Samah Sabawi, a volunteer with the organisation, told Mumbrella: “We believe that removing the billboard was clearly a breach of our right to freedom of expression. We understand that the right to free speech carries with it special duties and responsibilities including the respect of the rights or reputations of others and the protection of national security or of public order. None of that was violated by the billboard’s message.”
The pro-Palestine billboard, located in Melbourne’s Southbank, was taken down by Ooh Media, the owner of the billboard site, pending further decisions by the Ad Standards Board (ASB), legal experts and other authorities on whether the controversial ad breaches advertising standards and rules. Yesterday the ASB it would not be taking action as the board fell under the classification of political advertising.
The billboard featured images of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu under the slogan “Apartheid: Wrong In South Africa. Wrong in Palestine”. It also carried a quote from Mandela: “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians” and a quote from Tutu: “Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings”.
Sabawi said the billboard did not promote hate speech nor did it incite violence, and argued the board’s removal is an example of “powerful players” having no tolerance for the political views of others.
“The billboard did not single out or blame any particular community here in Australia, it did not promote hate speech in any way, it did not incite violence and it didn’t even name Israel,” she said. “Furthermore, the billboard did not advertise for any particular political faction, party or viewpoint.
“That it equated the situation in Palestine with that in South Africa’s apartheid era is something that has been supported by various Israeli and other human rights groups as well as leading South African human rights advocates. The billboard merely highlighted two quotes by two of the world’s most respected human rights leaders Nelson Mandela’s and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in calling for the world to recognise the plight of the Palestinians.
“We believe that removing the billboard was a sad example of the impossibility of having real ‘free speech’ in a society where powerful players have no tolerance for the political views of others especially when it comes to being critical of Israel’s policies within the public sphere.”
Ooh Media has declined to comment on the decision to remove the billboard, or to elaborate on which authorities it is waiting to hear from over the board.
Miranda Ward
Disclaimer: Ooh Media is currently advertising in the Mumbrella email newsletter.
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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The billboard has an opinion. You may not agree with the point of view expressed. If you disagree with the billboard then raise some funds and put up your own billboard. Full stop. End of conversation.
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this is such a load of BS – if “palestine’ is freed what happens to israel?
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Totally agree Nick, I reckon any opinion should be expressed in billboard form. That is definitely the correct way of approaching simple issues like the Middle East.
You are 100% right, if you have the money to buy a billboard, you should be able to advertise all of your opinions and thoughts on it.
I also loved the way you elegantly ended this discussion three times; once with a regular full stop, then, by writing “full stop”, and then (just when we thought the sentence was over), you wrote “End of conversation.” Brilliant!
I think you have resolved this matter comprehensively and put this controversy to bed.
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I want to stay clear of the politics/religious issues.
As a marketer….if I create an advertisement that doesn’t breach any code, then pay Ooh to display it and they pull it down due to pressure from a “competitor” with deeper pockets and more influence ………I would feel more than slightly miffed!
Ooh media need to have a close look at the way they do business.
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i’m pleased they had to pull it down…..why we have to have this stuff shoved in our faces when we are on the other side of the world is beyond me. I’d be happy if I never heard discussion ever again of Gaza, Palestine or the Middle East for that matter.
For a region that occupies a postage stamp on the world map the Middle East is way over-represented in our media.
I feel for those who are suffering in less trendy places, such as in many African nations.
And their suffering is largely due to lack of resources and access to life’s basic needs such as food, water and medicine, as opposed to the pointless fight about who has the best imaginary friend.
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What if the billboard incited racial hatred? E.g. it said “F@@$ all you N%^&!” with a picture of someone from the Ku Klux Klan with a burning cross. Would that be ok? On the basis of Nick’s argument, you would accept that and all you could do was raise funds and put up a billboard across the road. I respect free speech but calling Gaza an ‘apartheid’ is completely removed from the truth and likely to incite racial hatred against Israelis and jews. Interested to know which Israeli groups Mumbrella reached out to for a counterargument on this..
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Nick nails it. It quotes two Nobel Peace Prize winners who opposed apartheid – if you don’t like what they said rustle up the money to counter with quotes from Nobel winners who support the occupation and continued suffering of the Palestinian people. Now there’s an advertising challenge…
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Nick,
Great idea, I’d suggest we go back to the Emir of Qatar , Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Let’s hope he is also willing to help out for another try.
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@Shai – Good question.
Israel begins to act in good faith. It permits the Palestinian Arab population right of return to visit the homes and villages they lived and worked in under Ottoman and British rule. It takes down its illegal wall, its checkpoints and its towers – instead of tearing down homes. It withdraws to the 1967 borders from settlements that are illegal under international law. It ceases to divert more than its fair share of water. It eases the illegal blockade on Gaza to allow proper access to desperately needed humanitarian supplies. And it feels the weight of the International Criminal Court.
Sounds fair really.
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Opinion can be voiced on behalf of one person, however when a group attaches a name to statement like that is goes beyond ‘opinion’. This type of propaganda has no place on a billboard.
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And they certainly cannot claim that they represent ‘Australia’ as ‘Australians for Palestine” because that is absolute garbage.
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I think it’s fine putting up a billboard but I believe the idea behind the message is flawed. Comparing the situation in Israel and Gaza today with apartheid South Africa over 20 years ago, is a missfire. South Africa has actually gone downhill since apartheid was abolished. Crime is so bad, people have to live in gated communities and carry guns when they travel. South Africa has since become the “rape capital of the world”. You are more likely to be murdered today in South Africa than under apartheid.
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Remind where it says Israel anywhere on the billboard.
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What is Palestine?
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Jeez! this is what humans have become. not only the reprobateness (no such word) of the ASB, but the comments on here. Jesus H christ are we doomed with people like you wasting oxygen for the planet.
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1. Apples and oranges. “Apartheid” and “Palestine” are completely unrelated.
2. Palestine – it does not exist, and never has. The area is Gaza.
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Daniel,
Palestine – Gaza, East Jerusalem, West Bank. No Settlements.
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