FRENCH DRIVING TEST REVISION PLATFORM USES ANTISEMITISM AS MARKETING STRATEGY

Code Express, a French online platform that offers driving licence courses, has refused to remove an antisemitic photo to promote their discounts, after GTTO partner in France, Licra, sent a complaint.

What Code Express saw as a funny marketing strategy is a stereotype that fuels deep-seated prejudices against Jews as greedy and good with money.

In the post, a photo, taken from a film, shows a group of Jewish men dancing and some photoshopped banknotes of euros dropping from the sky. The caption says “When you hear that the price of the driving theory test has decreased”. This was published on Code Express Facebook and Instagram accounts.

When Licra complained on Twitter and Facebook, Code Express dismissed the criticism claiming that humour cannot be antisemitic: “Good morning, we make reference to the movie 'The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob' which is a funny movie with some antisemitic stereotypes (a movie that you still can watch on TV). Of course, this post is funny and not to be taken literally so no stress”.

Licra responded highlighting how, contrary to their post, the film debunks the stereotypes, while Code Express even edited a rain of cash on the photo. Licra accused Code Express of irresponsible behaviour and doing nothing to amend it. Code Express refused to delete the antisemitic posts, which are still visible on their social media accounts.