Global fashion chain Zara has been selling a striped shirt for toddlers with a yellow Star of David that is distinctly reminiscent of the badge that Jews were forced to wear by the Nazis. The item of clothing for children up to three is part of Zara's "Cowboy Collection" and written faintly on the yellow star is the word sheriff.
The shirt, which sells for NIS 80 over the Internet in Israel, has been generating stunned condemnation on social media networks, where some see it as anti-Semitic.
As soon as the matter was drawn to the attention of Zara's management, the company decided to withdraw all stock from its shelves and warehouses and destroy it. The company said, "We express our sincere apologies for any offense to our customers' feelings."
This is not the first such embarrassing incident involving Zara, which in 2007 launched bags decorated with swastikas. The bags were withdrawn following public outrage and the company blamed the incident on outside suppliers that saw the swastika as an acceptable Hindu symbol in India.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 27, 2014
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