Controversial Israeli TV Ad Now More Controversial

In Israel, even controversies spawn their own controversies. First came the controversy over a TV ad for an Israeli cell phone provider, which feature IDF soldiers kicking around a soccer ball with unseen Palestinians, over the Security Fence, and which was, depending on whom you listed to, either a callous mockery of the pain caused by the wall or a warm-hearted commentary on the common humanity of those on both side. Now, two Israeli filmmakers who saw the ad have begun legal proceedings, claiming it rips off a short film they made three years ago, which featured Israeli volleyball players tossing a ball to the other end of the fence.

Making matters even worse, say the filmmakers, Yossi Atia and Itamar Rose, is the fact that while their film was intended to protest the wall as a barrier to normal life, the cell phone spot sends a very different message. “In our movie, the ball is never returned back to the Israeli side,” said Rose, “just like in reality, because the wall was intended to sever the ties between both peoples. [In the commercial, Israelis and Palestinians] play and shout happily, which is the exact opposite message.”

We eagerly await the controversy over this latest controversy.

Filmmakers Claim: Cellcom’s Admen Stole Our Wall Ad [Ha’aretz, in Hebrew]
Earlier: Bridge the Security Fence