WATCH: Facebook group slams ad showing IDF troops playing soccer by separation fence
HAARETZ
A Facebook group is trying to get Israel's leading cell phone operator, Cellcom, to pull a new TV commercial showing Israeli soldiers near the West Bank separation fence, arguing that the advert is "racist."
The commercial, produced by the Israeli branch of international advertising powerhouse McCann Erickson, shows IDF soldiers on patrol along the separation fence who stop their jeep when it is hit by a soccer ball from the Palestinian side of the fence.
The ball soon bounces back to the Israeli side, at which point the soldiers decide to hold an impromptu game with the Palestinians, cheered on by female soldiers.
The voiceover accompanying the advert says: "After all, what are we all after? Just a little fun."
The Facebook group, called "I too got nauseous watching the new Cellcom ad," severely criticized McCann Eriksson's use of the separation fence in its advert.
"We could go into the media messages spouting racism any which way, but if you have come here than you too think they're uncalled for," reads the introduction to the Facebook group. "The McCann Erickson copywriter displayed an unbelievable propensity for bad taste."
The group also centered on what they feel is offensive in the new commercial, pointing out the fact that the supposedly "good" soldiers fear the possibility that the "monster living on the other side of the wall could steal the ball - but when the ball returns to Israeli hands, we discover that that monster isn't fierce at all, and actually feels like playing with the soldiers - oh joy!"
"Good enough reason to set up a beach party under the wall, complete with sexy female soldiers and musical instruments."
The group ends by demanding the immediate removal of the commercial.
"What our group can agree on is the shame we feel seeing a major Israeli commercial company approving such a beastly advert to be aired in its name, and which brings us to demand - take this racist commercial off the air immediately!"
Posted by PIMPIN TURTLE at 7/13/2009 5:52 AM 
Categories: Latest News,Other Stuff,Funny,Sports,Video
Tags: IDF Soccer Racist Cellcom Commercial
Categories: Latest News,Other Stuff,Funny,Sports,Video
Tags: IDF Soccer Racist Cellcom Commercial
I actually really like this commercial. Not that I think the huge wall is a great idea, I just like the fact that they two sides are having a good time and "playing together". (if that makes sense)
Whoever shot this commercial had a good understanding of history. During World War I, the English and Germans had what most called a "Christmas Truce"
"The meeting of enemies as friends in no-man's land was experienced by hundreds, if not thousands, of men on the Western Front during Christmas 1914. Today, 90 years after it occurred, the event is seen as a shining episode of sanity from among the bloody chapters of World War One – a spontaneous effort by the lower ranks to create a peace that could have blossomed were it not for the interference of generals and politicians."
Furthermore, I feel like this commercial propagates the understanding that did exist between the two enemies during WW1.
"The man at the Front could not help but have a degree of sympathy for his opponents who were having just as miserable a time as they were.
Another factor that broke down the animosity between the opposing armies were the surroundings. In 1914 the men at the front could still see the vestiges of civilisation. Villages, although badly smashed up, were still standing. Fields, although pitted with shell-holes, had not been turned into muddy lunarscapes."
Lastly, this shows the fraternization of the enemies through a game of soccer:
"With the Truce in full swing up and down the line there were a number of recorded games of soccer, although these were really just 'kick-abouts' rather than a structured match.
On January 1, 1915, the London Times published a letter from a major in the Medical Corps reporting that in his sector the British played a game against the Germans opposite and were beaten 3-2.
Kurt Zehmisch of the 134th Saxons recorded in his diary: 'The English brought a soccer ball from the trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued. How marvellously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time.'
The Truce lasted all day; in places it ended that night, but on other sections of the line it held over Boxing Day and in some areas, a few days more. In fact, there parts on the front where the absence of aggressive behaviour was conspicuous well into 1915."
I would suggest to everyone who is interested to research the rest of the story. It is very intriguing.
You can read more here:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/christmastruce.htm
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Mr. E,
I also liked the ad. I think the people on facebook are making a big fuss over nothing. Also, I am very familiar with the Christmas Truce. The only thing I disagree with you on is the necessity of the wall. Hopefully one day we won't need it.
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