The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), has issued a public apology following the appearance of a controversial license plate that seemed to mock the October 7 attack on Israel.
The plate, displayed on a Tesla Cybertruck, read “LOLOCT7” and has sparked outrage online.
The licence plate is believed to reference the deadly October 7, 2023, attack in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages in Israel.
In retaliation, ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 44,000 people, including many women and children, according to Palestinian officials. The offensive plate was reportedly spotted in Culver City, near Los Angeles.
StopAntisemitism, an organisation combatting antisemitism, condemned the plate on social media.
In a post on X, the group tweeted, “StopAntisemitism is appalled by the sickening display on a Cyber Truck plate in California, celebrating terrorism against the Jewish people.”
They also called on the DMV to act swiftly, stating, “Demand the @CA_DMV recall this license plate that celebrates the October 7th terrorist attack—a vile mockery of the 1,200 innocent lives lost and the countless others scarred.”
Hours later, the DMV issued a statement on X, acknowledging the issue and committing to action. “This is unacceptable and disturbing,” the department wrote. “The DMV is taking swift action to recall these shocking plates, and we will immediately strengthen our internal review process to ensure such an egregious oversight never happens again.”
The department further apologised for failing to reject the plate during its approval process, noting that it violates their policies and core values aimed at fostering safe and welcoming roadways.
Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism, welcomed the DMV’s apology but urged further action.
“This license plate, along with any others displaying similar sentiments or antisemitic expressions, should be recalled immediately,” Rez said. She also called for a thorough review of the DMV’s approval process to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A DMV spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times that the driver would be notified about the recall of the plate but noted that the owner retains the right to appeal the decision.
Additionally, the DMV plans to audit its current database of personalised plates to identify and remove any that may contain offensive language.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
