Tel Aviv gay party slammed for using ISIS-inspired promo photos

PROMOTIONAL photos inspired by the infamous ISIS beheadings used to publicise a Tel Aviv gay party has been met with criticism and anger on social media over the weekend.

According to Ynetnews, some of the posters promoting parties by Drek – one of the city’s most popular gay party organisers – used imagery inspired by ISIS’ video executions in which an executioner dressed in black stands above his kneeling, orange-clad victim (pictured above).

The imagery was used to help promote the Drekistan at the Haoman party, which was held last Friday at Tel Aviv’s Haoman 17 Club.

Ynetnews reported that although many people dismissed the posters as poor taste, others were provoked to write angry messages on Drek’s social media page.

When organisers posted the image, they also wrote: “As the new Islamic State gains traction in the Middle East, we at Drek have decided to give in to Sharia law and cheer the stubborn Daesh.”

Daesh is the English spelling of the Arabic acronym for ISIS, which is also a label the group despises. Drek’s message also used the Hebrew word for “stubborn” written as “hard necked” — a reference to the infamous executions.

Drek co-founder Amiri Kalman reportedly responded to the criticism of the photos by saying it was a reaction to current events in the region, something that they have always done.

“We reject violence in any form and that includes the (execution) videos intended to scare the world,” he said.

“Therefore we also refuse to participate with this fear and refuse to become hysterical. This is satire, and our way of showing our contempt of them and their videos.”

Kalman also highlighted that no ISIS-inspired imagery or props were used at the party last Friday.

H/T: Ynetnews