Ramat Gan Mayor Says City Will Sponsor Two Posters With Women For Every One Defaced

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Ramat Gan mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen announced in a Facebook post that his municipality would fund two posters with pictures of women for every poster defaced.

Recently posters advertising the Israeli version of Survivor were placed in public places and on huge billboards in Ramat Gan. The pictures include women in immodest clothing and many of them were torn down by unknown elements, although the actual timing and place of the show were not defaced. Shama Hacohen attacked the phenomenon in his Facebook post, stating that “vandalism will not achieve anything and will not be accepted in Ramat Gan.”

Shama Hacohen referred to complaints he had received about the posters from religious people who said that they offend their sensibilities. He responded that “we are talking about advertising and as long as it is within the bounds of the law, the matter does not concern the municipality.”

Shama Hacohen added that one complaint about a billboard with immodest pictures opposite a religious school had been referred to the company, which then removed the poster. He stressed that “complaints by parents, the decision of the municipality to request respectfully and not demand from the company and the company’s decision are examples of coexistence with respect, thoughtfulness and sensitivity. However as opposed to this, there are some who acted forcefully and wilfully and defaced the advert on the Aluf Sadeh bridge.”

Israeli law prohibits defacing posters, a crime which is punishable with up to three years in prison.