Hulu has left viewers shell-shocked after broadcasting a Visit Gaza commercial, sponsored by the State of Israel, that depicts the strip as a tourist haven marred by the influence of Hamas.
The spot paints a picture of Gaza, using AI-generated images, as a wanderlust-worthy paradise replete with beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, and rich spreads, a stark contrast to the reality of a region affected by conflict.
“Come visit beautiful Gaza with its stunning beaches and charming boardwalks,” a narrator calls out. “You can stay in one of our five-star hotels and get a taste of the best in Middle Eastern food. Embrace the vibrant nightlife of the city and experience a culture rich in tradition.”
Midway through, the advertisement suggests this is only possible without Hamas. Juxtaposed with imagery of armed Palestinian adults and children, it ends with a call to “Free Gaza from Hamas Now.”
just got a Hulu ad from "the state of Israel" that was a fake Vegas-style glossy tourism ad for Gaza which cuts off at the end to say "this could have been Gaza if not for Hamas"
The backlash has been swift and severe, with critics slamming the commercial as a dehumanizing, manipulative piece of propaganda, and calling for a boycott.
SHAME on Hulu for airing a disgusting, factually-incorrect and dehumanizing Zionist propaganda ad for Israel while they face genocide charges by the ICJ. It is the Zionist Israeli regime that turned Gaza into a concentration camp due to their occupation, apartheid system, and pic.twitter.com/e3crtvok3E
— ðµð¸ Bronx Anti-War Coalition ð¾ðª (@BXAntiWar) February 4, 2024
A poster that’s been making its rounds (seen above) calls out the streaming platform for approving a message that blames Palestinians for their suffering. As outlined in the graphic, a protest is being planned to take place outside Hulu’s headquarters in New York this week.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the video was pulled from YouTube as a paid commercial but remains on Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate’s YouTube channel.
[via VICE and HuffPost, images via various sources]