Posters inspired by Rooney novel deemed ‘vandalism’
A SALLY ROONEY book cover that has been used to promote the boycott of Israel in posters at bus stops in the capital has been called “vandalism” by Transport for London (TFL).
The posters, which featured an altered cover of the author’s second novel, carried the slogan “Normal People Boycott Israel”.
TFL said that these were not authorised adverts and was working to remove them “immediately”.
The posters appeared to be placed behind the glass panels on the bus stop.
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, a justice minister, wrote on Twitter: “Would you please clarify – was this “advertisement” originally approved by TFL, but now is under investigation? Or was it put up without any TFL input or approval?”
TFL confirmed that the works were not sanctioned by the organisation and they were taking the act “extremely seriously”.
The artist behind the poster is believed to be Protest Stencil.
They did not respond to a request for comment.
Protest Stencil wrote on social media: “You can tell a lot about a person from whether their solidarity is with the coloniser or the colonised. Respect to Sally Rooney for her principled stand in support of Palestinians.”
A post added that arguments against the Palestinian strategy of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) are built “on that shaky basis, ‘We know better than you how you should challenge your oppression’.”
It said the fish-net pattern “as well as being the traditional keffiyeh solidarity symbol, also represents the empty fishing nets of Gaza’s fishermen”. Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said on Twitter: “Normal people defend human rights. Normal people condemn terror. Normal people support peace. Normal people do not support the hatefuelled terror-funding BDS.” A TFL spokesperson said: “These adverts are not authorised by TFL or our advertising partner Jcdecaux. It is fly posting and therefore an act of vandalism which we take extremely seriously. “We have instructed our contractors to remove any of these posters found on our network immediately.”