New Zealand - Israel accuses New Zealand of anti-Semitism

The Israeli embassy has accused New Zealand of accepting anti-Semitic behavior.

The Canberra-based embassy's criticism of New Zealand's race relations follows an advertising campaign that drew complaints from the Jewish community.

The campaign was withdrawn hours after New Zealand Jewish Council Chairman Geoff Levy complained.

The billboards that sparked the comments were for a Prime Television show, Madmen: The Glory Years of Advertising.

The billboards, created by advertising agency Draft FCB, said: "Advertising Agency Seeks: Clients. All business considered, even from Jews."

Embassy spokesman Dor Shapira said Prime's apology should be backed by a strong response from politicians, academics, religious groups and the public.

The billboards - and publication of the advertisement in Time magazine - reflected "acceptance of anti-Semitic behavior in New Zealand".

"We have been shocked and dismayed by the wrongful action of people using Jewish stereotypes to pursue an advertising and commercial agenda," Mr. Shapira said.

"It is our hope that an apology will only be the start of an entire campaign to remove this repugnant and negative mindset from the culture and political environment in New Zealand."

Source: www.stuff.co.nz

By Matt Calman

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