The Transport for London (TfL) decision to refuse posters on its transport network which were critical of the Balfour Declaration and the state of Israel, has been welcomed today.
The London Assembly agreed a motion commending TfL’s action on the matter and thanked TfL Commissioner, Mike Brown, for his decision.
Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion said:
“It is vital that we apply the rules on the political neutrality of the Tube fairly and without bias.
The advertisement, rejected by TfL, would clearly have shattered that neutrality and created a precedent that I think Londoners would not welcome.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that this year marks the centenary of the Balfour Declaration which set out the British Government’s public support for the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.
The Balfour Declaration states:
"His Majesty's government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."
The Assembly further notes that Transport for London has recently refused permission to display posters from a politically-motivated advertising campaign which attacks this milestone on the grounds that it contains “images or messages which relate to matters of public controversy or sensitivity”.
This Assembly believes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is too complex to be represented in a poster. A solution is needed to recognise the rights of all those who live in the region and that requires on-going sensitive negotiation.
The Assembly welcomes the actions of Transport for London in this matter and wishes to convey its thanks to the Commissioner.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 18 votes for and 0 votes against.
- Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- Watch a video of Andrew Boff AM on this motion.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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