J'lem orders Meretz to remove 'offensive' signs

The Jerusalem Municipality on Tuesday ordered the immediate removal of dozens of campaign posters erected by the far-left Meretz Party in the city that read "Maniacs for Freedom and Democracy" following complaints by hundreds of offended city residents, the city said. City ordinance bars the use of offensive words such as "maniac" in public advertisements, city spokesman Gidi Schmerling said. Meretz said in response that the removal of the controversial campaign posters infringed on freedom of expression.