Customized License Plate Wasn't Mocking October 7 Attack, Owner's Son

LOS ANGELES, CA — The personalized license plate that appeared to mock the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was an attempt to by the truck owner to say he has seven grandchildren, a son said Friday.

The license plate "LOLOCT7," stems from lolo, the word in Tagalog, the language used by Filipinos, for grandfather, the vehicle is a Tesla Cybertruck, and he has seven grandchildren, the man, whose name was not disclosed, told ABC7.

The explanation for the meaning of the plate was included in the application, as is required, the man said.

"We have great empathy for anyone that's experienced that hatred," the man said. "We'd really appreciate in turn for anyone that's seeing this or hearing this to have empathy towards our family because we have no ill intent."

The watchdog organization StopAntisemitism on Thursday demanded the California Department of Motor Vehicles recall the plate, believing LOL stood for laugh out loud and the plate celebrated "the October 7th terrorist attack - - a vile mockery of the 1,200 innocent lives lost and the countless others scarred," according to a post on the social network X.

The DMV announced later Thursday it was "taking swift action to recall" the plate which it called on X "unacceptable and disturbing."

There was no immediate response to an email sent after the close of customary business hours Friday to the DMV Office of Public Affairs.

City News Service