The aftermath of Super Bowl LVIII sparked a wave of controversy that was centered around a pro-Israel ad that aired during the game. According to FCC filings obtained by TMZ, the majority of complaints lodged were in relation to this particular commercial. Hundreds of complaints were filed, with the main point of contention being the airing of an ad by the State of Israel during the broadcast.
Among the myriad of complaints, a handful were the standard fare for FCC complaints – indecent exposure, risqué outfits, and foul language. Additionally, there were grievances about showcasing celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Ice Spice, and Usher during the event. However, the bulk of the complaints centered around a commercial titled “Bring All Dads Back Home” produced by Israel, addressing the issue of hostages held by Hamas.
Interestingly, many of the complaints had nearly identical language, accusing CBS of not properly disclosing that the ad was sponsored by the Israeli government. The executive director of the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee was particularly vocal about this issue, even going as far as encouraging people to file FCC complaints. While the organization claimed to have garnered thousands of complaints, only around 1,000 were actually filed.
Despite the complaints alleging a lack of disclosure, the ad did, in fact, mention that it was sponsored by the State of Israel. This controversy highlights the ongoing polarization surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even months after the initial attack on Israel. The fact that individuals and organizations mobilized to prompt FCC complaints over the ad speaks to the deeply divided opinions on this contentious issue.
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