PORTLAND -- Tensions in the Middle East are being played out on Portland's mass transit system.
A pro-Palestinian group recently paid for an ad on buses and trains about the plight of Palestinian refugees. The ads depicted a shrinking Palestinian territory over the years and a growing Israel. Next to a series of maps, the ad read: "4.7 million Palestinians are classified by the U.N as refugees."
More: Pro-Palestinian transit ads stir controversy
A pro-Israeli group has now responded with ads describing opponents of Israel as "savage" and carrying the words: "Defeat Jihad."
The new ads started running Tuesday. They were purchased by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, a group run by blogger Pamela Geller.
Portland's mass transit system is the fourth to become a forum for the conflict, following New York, San Francisco and Washington.
Geller says the ads will be placed "anywhere" the anti-Israel ads run.
TriMet marketing director Drew Blevins says court rulings require the agency to accept all ads regardless of content.
