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Whitstable campaigner Julie Wassmer speaks of shock after police confiscate Gaza poster over complaints it was anti-semitic

00:00, 31 July 2014

updated: 14:01, 31 July 2014

A campaigner has spoken of her shock after her poster calling for peace in Gaza was confiscated over complaints it was "anti-semitic".

Julie Wassmer attached the poster on railings outside her home in Cromwell Road last weekend as a sign of solidarity with civilians in the war-torn region.

It reads "Stop the Israeli Terror on civilians" and was re-tweeted several times from supporters.

The poster reads: Stop the Israeli terror on civilians
The poster reads: Stop the Israeli terror on civilians

The poster was also tweeted to US President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and figures from the United Nations.

But the message led to accusations of anti-semitism after a woman complained to a neighbour to say she had contacted the police.

Last night the couple opened their door to find a policeman removing the sign after he confirmed the force had received a complaint.

Julie wrote on her Facebook page about her shock, saying her right to peaceful protest had been abused.

Julie Wassmer
Julie Wassmer

She posted: "Shocked after police came tonight and took away our sign, showing solidarity with the people of Gaza, after someone locally in Whitstable complained that it was anti-Semitic'!

"The sign is clearly NOT anti-semitic.

"It is anti Israeli bombing of the civilian population in Gaza, so I think this is rich from the person who complained as they have done so on the day that Israeli forces bombed yet another UN school with more loss of life of innocents."

Julie says the poster will be returned at some point and another sign showing support for the people of Gaza will be put up in their window.


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