Burger chain's tweet using slain journalist as prop not fit for human consumption

A photo of James Foley on assignment; and Z-Burger menu item. (Courtesy photos)

A Washington-based burger chain called Z-Burger is being heavily criticized today for an ill-advised tweet that used an image of war correspondent James Foley taken just moments before his public execution in 2014 as part of a social media ad campaign.

The tweet, since deleted, read, "When you say you want a burger and someone says okay let's hit McDonalds." Underneath the image of Foley was a cryptic message "You disgrace me."

Foley, a renowned war correspondent who was beheaded in Syria and whose execution was viewable by the world on an ISIS video, is memorialized by his nonprofit the James Foley Foundation, which denounced the tawdry tweet within a few minutes of its being posted.

Z-burger owner Peter Tabibian, an Iranian immigrant, apologized on behalf of Z-Burger. In a post he said an outside company, Valor Media, was responsible for all the burger joint's social media activity and ad campaigns.

The tweet was live for about an hour before he was made aware of it had it removed, he said.

Valor Media officials admitted they were at fault, explaining that a young hire had made the blunder, unaware of the image's provenance.

The mother of Foley, Diane Foley, who lives in Rochester, N.H., tweeted Tuesday afternoon on her revulsion over the tweet.

"I am very saddened that @Zburger would be so insensitive and ignorant of others' pain while marketing their hamburger.
I look forward to hearing an apology from Peter Tabibian and Michael Valor (owner of ad company that originated tweet) and their promised donation to the foundation #inspiring moral courage."

Diane Foley was not immediately available for comment.

Diane and John Foley have lived in Rochester for many years and have been credited with pushing the federal government to make legal ransom payments for loved ones held as hostages overseas.

Meanwhile, the annual James Foley Freedom Run, which raises money for the James Foley Foundation, has become a staple of fall events. This year's run will be held Oct. 20 at the Rochester Fairgrounds.