Update: Walmart has now discontinued the sale of two Halloween costumes after receiving complaints from social media sites saying that the costumes were offensive.
America’s largest supermarket chain sparkeded outrage with Halloween costumes including an “Israeli soldier for kids” and a “sheikh Fagin nose”.
Their website offers the soldier’s uniform, including a shirt, trousers, belt and hat, bearing Hebrew writing, at the price of $27.44, reduced from $57.62.
The soldier costume appears to resemble uniforms worn by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) paratroopers and elite units.
.@walmart Israeli soldier costume claims it’ll help kids “step into their Jewish heritage” https://t.co/VyTvoBk4aq pic.twitter.com/eO4OKFbObl
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) October 27, 2015
The Independent reports:
But reviewers were quick to voice their disapproval. “Might as well sell a Hitler outfit for children as well!” wrote one commenter, who called the costume “utterly insensitive” and gave it one star.
The comments were echoed by critics on social media, with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news quoting pro-Palestinian Twitter users accusing Walmart of “supporting killing and occupation”.
A description of the costume on another website, Wholesale Halloween Costumes, read: “Defend your Jewish heritage proudly by wearing the Israeli Soldier Boy’s Costume! The Israeli Defense Forces have a mission to protect the land and the people of Israel from outside threats with low casualties, and to avoid waging war if at all possible.”
Walmart also sells an Israeli police officer costume for children, as well as an array of military outfits representing different US forces.
The chain was additionally being criticised for an accessory by Morris Costumes being sold on its website under the title: “Sheik Fagin Nose (sic)”.
“Latex prosthetic nose perfect for an Arab Sheik,” reads the description of the item, which is also sold by several other outlets.
A photo showed it being worn with a beard and headdress but its name also alluded to Fagin, the Jewish antagonist in Oliver Twist, whose characterisation provoked allegations of anti-Semitism during Charles Dickens’ lifetime and ever since.
Full “Arab Sheikh” and “Arab Knight” costumes are also available on Walmart’s website.
The retail giant has not responded yet to the criticisms.
Niamh Harris
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