Israeli supermarket ad campaign spoofs Dubai hit video footage

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Last update - 13:59 11/03/2010

Israeli supermarket ad campaign spoofs Dubai hit video footage

An Israeli supermarket is looking to cash in on the infamous surveillance video of an assassination team suspected of killing a Hamas commander in Dubai with a new commercial inspired by the footage.

A new TV campaign for the Mahsanei Kimat Hinam supermarket chain shows actors wearing wigs and hats and carrying tennis rackets as they make their way through store aisles.

"We offer killer prices," announced the advertisement's tagline.

Advertising executive Sefi Shaked says the campaign was inspired by the footage released by Dubai police that allegedly shows the disguised killers prowling the halls of a posh hotel ahead of the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh on Jan. 19.

Mabhouh was found dead in his Dubai hotel room on January 20 in what police say they are almost certain was a hit by Israel's Mossad spy agency.

Shaked says the commercial even uses the same kind of surveillance cameras as those used in Dubai.

"It's a funny take of this event," Shaked said. "We were fascinated by the technique of using surveillance cameras instead of (expensive) high production commercial cameras, and the latest events in Dubai gave us a great opportunity."

An actor wearing a tennis outfit like the one seen in the Dubai footage

browses the frozen food section. An actress wearing a wide-brimmed floppy hat mimicks Israel's policy of neither confirming or denying involvement in the assassination, saying she couldn't admit to anything.

Dubai has accused Israel of carrying out the killing, an allegation strengthened by the fact that many of the forged European passports used in the operation bear the names and details of dual nationals living in Israel. Several European countries whose nationals' passports were used have summoned Israel's ambassadors for an explanation and have sent investigators to Israel.

Israel says al-Mabhouh was a key figure in smuggling weapons to anti-Israel militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

The commercials are expected to air in time for the upcoming Passover holiday season starting at the end of March

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