A Christmas decoration has been pulled from shelves over fears it could appear to resemble support for the Hamas terrorist organisation.
Australian retailer Kmart was forced to act after users on social media pointed out the mistake.
The £3.20 ($4) holiday bag, intended to store ham in the fridge, sports festive decorations such as mistletoe and a Christmas tree, with large text that reads “Merry Ham-Mas!”
The merchandise was initially criticized by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA).
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The group wrote on X, formally Twitter: “K-MART STUFF-UP! Check out the special Christmas bag currently available via Kmart online. Yes, it’s real!!”
“Although this is potentially funny (the AJA committee has tossed around some non-PC jokes) it’s really not a good look.
“We suspect some product manager may cause the company some embarrassment. So, we’ve politely written to Westfarmers corporate suggesting the product be pulled.”
Other users quickly chimed in online.
One said: “Faux outrage over a bag to store ham in at Christmas time…really clutching at straws here.
“Another added: “I intend to politely write to the AJA and tell them that they don’t have the right to decide what is acceptable for everyone. If you don’t like it then don’t buy it.”
A spokesperson for Kmart later apologised for the bag in a statement.
He said: “We got it wrong on this occasion and we apologize unreservedly.
“When designing this product we clearly didn’t think through all the implications and the product has been removed from sale.”
AJA President David Adler praised the retailer for removing the bag.
He added: “It’s not normal times. There are people that will distort things and will harass the Jewish community.
“Of course, there are bigger issues to be addressed; dealing with the actual terrorism is important, but one of the other things we are dealing with is propaganda.”
