Walmart has been marketing its costumes heavily ahead of Halloween, but one ensemble raised the ire of the USA retailer’s customer base – an Israeli soldier costume for kids.
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Another Halloween costume stocked by Walmart that drew outrage is a “Latex prosthetic nose ideal for an Arab Sheik”, featuring a large nose on a man clad in traditional Arab attire. Though the accompanying picture shows a child in the costume holding a toy Uzi submachine replica, the product description notes the costume comes only with “shirt, pants, belt, and hat”.
The costume has sparked anger at a time of increasing violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
Walmart isn’t the only retail giant facing criticism over its Halloween costumes this year.
More than 40 Palestinians have died in unrest in Israel and the Palestinian territories this month, reported the BBC. “Get out,”‘ one Twitter user tweeted.
“Walmart offers Israeli soldier costumes for Kids!”
This was criticised also criticised as being anti-Semitic by a few users on social media, for referring to the character – Fagin, in the Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, which allegedly plays on anti-Semitic stereotypes.
‘Wal-Mart is selling an Israeli Army costume for your little IDF in training.
We reached out to Walmart for comment on the costume and will update when we hear back.
However, Walmart isn’t the only retailer selling costumes that are deemed offensive.
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‘We cover current events and scandals that we believe the consumer might want to dress up in for Halloween, ‘ he said.
