Entertainment magazine Variety refused to publish an advertisement that says, "Don't endorse Israeli apartheid," in its upcoming Oscars issue.
Jewish Voice for Peace , or JVP, a group that supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel , announced Monday that the magazine initially accepted payment for the group's ad, but then said it could not publish it since "it would need to have a softer tone."
The ad, whose top line reads "Free Trip to Israel at the Expense of Palestinians," calls on Oscar nominees to refuse a free Israel trip worth $55,000 offered in their "swag bags."
The Israeli government is sponsoring the $55,000 all-expense pai d, 10-day luxury travel pack with first-class air to Tel Aviv that is included in swag bags for Oscar host Chris Rock and all nominees in the best actor/actress, best supporting actor/actress, and director categories.
