The Italian clothing label’s controversial advertising campaign, Unhate, which was launched less than two weeks ago, is surely going to garner more raised eyebrows with their latest stunt: Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu kissing Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas on a large billboard in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The doctored image was part of the original set of campaign images used, but has now been placed on a large billboard along the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv.

The campaign will also feature along other Israeli highways.

The image of Netanyahu sharing a kiss with Abbas has received its own attention, but its placement in Tel Aviv may draw protest of its own.

Workers ready the billboard in Tel Aviv

Nur Media Star, the agency in Israel that prepared the billboards:

We are proud to be a part of innovative and prominent campaigns like Benetton’s campaign. The creative message placed along the country’s key arteries creates extraordinary exposure and looks sexy, which every fashion client seeks.

For Benetton, the images are:

Symbolic images of reconciliation – with a touch of ironic hope and constructive provocation – to stimulate reflection on how politics, faith and ideas, when they are divergent and mutually opposed, must still lead to dialogue and mediation.

Benetton already had to pull a photograph featuring Pope Benedict kissing a senior Egyptian imam after the Vatican denounced it as unacceptable.

[Source: IBTimes]