Is this advert by TFL anti-semitic?

Check out this advert by TFL -


You may notice a few off things about "The Bank" in the clip. Firstly the masonic symbols on the exterior walls. The stained glass star of David's in the doors. Not really too like any banks I know. The rather Semitic looking "giant" security guard. I don't know any banks which are plastered with stars of David and masonic symbols in London in such a way. It turns out that the location is "The Freemasons Hall" in Great Queen Street, not a bank at all.

If I wanted to make a public service broadcast about a bank hoist, would I think "I know, I'll use a masonic hall, plastered with Stars of David, that will give the viewer a sympathetic feel towards the bankers". I think that the advert is at the very best crass and ill advised. It is no secret that many right-wing conspiracy nutcases come up with all sorts of nonsense about Jewish lead conspiracy theories, often orchestrated by masonic lodges. The notes in the film also don't bear much resemblence to the money we are using in day to day high street transactions.

The company which put the advert together are WCRS - http://www.wcrs.com/ - in association with TFL. I've no idea what sort of subliminal message this advert sends out, but I do know that it has made some of my Jewish friends decidedly edgy. I think that the basic concept of the ad is clever, but having watched it a few times, I agree that it seems to have a "hidden subtext". One that I feel far from happy with. TFL and WCRS have got this horribly wrong. I'm not Jewish, I don't subscribe to crackpot conspiracy theories. I do however think that there are nutcases out there who will see this and draw all of the wrong conclusions. Is this really what Boris Johnson, Head of TFL wants? I sincerely hope not.

Given that the key message about this advert is that it's "what you notice" that matters, I think a few questions need asking in rather high places.

A special note of the thanks to my great friend Jo Alexander who did all the research for me on this blog.