Rome, 30 July (AKI) - Anti-Israel graffiti was found on the walls of branches of Italy's student travel agency CTS located throughout the Italian capital Rome on Thursday. It is believed the culprits - who allegedly belong to a self-proclaimed anti-racism group - wanted to protest the agency's recent promotion of travel to Israel.

The graffiti 'artists' wrote messages such as "Boycott Israel, reject Apartheid," "Solidarity with the Palestinian people" and other messages opposing what they called "Zionist tourism".

CTS had recently begun an Internet video campaign with Israeli airline El Al as well as Israel's tourism ministry entitled "The beauty of Israel".

The video ad shows four Italian youths filmed while travelling through different parts of the country.

The mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno condemned what he called the "anti-Semitic" slogans.

"I would like to express my solidarity to the State of Israel and the Jewish community of Rome for the despicable anti-Semitic slogans that calls for the boycott of tourism in Israel," said Alemanno.

The four CTS branches targeted by the anti-Israel graffiti were located in the Roman neighbourhoods of Monteverde, Cecchignola, Centocelle and Quadraro.