Luxury Department Store Pulls Globe Over Missing Israel
A high-end department store has been forced to withdraw a globe from sale following a significant backlash from customers who discovered it appeared to omit the country of Israel from its world map. The illuminated, rotating world map, a sophisticated decorative item, was removed from shelves after shoppers pointed out the glaring absence of Israel, with Palestine instead prominently labelled in capital letters.
The controversial globe, which was on display at Selfridges’ flagship Oxford Street store, has sparked a wave of customer complaints and accusations of bias. While neighbouring nations like Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia were clearly marked with their respective capitals, the omission of Israel, a significant and well-established nation, raised immediate concerns.
Inconsistent Cartography Sparks Outrage
Selfridges initially responded to a shopper’s query by explaining that the globe employed a numbering system for some smaller countries in lieu of their names. However, further scrutiny revealed an inconsistent application of this cartographic method, leading to accusations that certain nations were favoured over others.
- Cyprus vs. Israel: While the island nation of Cyprus was clearly labelled by its name, Israel was relegated to the designation of “number 30.” This is particularly perplexing given that Israel is more than twice the size of Cyprus.
- Palestine and Jordan: In stark contrast, Palestine, with an area of up to 2,400 square miles (including Gaza), was prominently displayed. Meanwhile, its neighbour, Jordan, a considerably larger nation spanning approximately 34,000 square miles, was represented by a number.
This selective labelling strategy has fuelled suspicion and anger among customers and advocacy groups.
Selfridges Responds and Removes Product
In response to the mounting complaints and the evident inconsistency in the globe’s design, Selfridges confirmed that it had removed the product from sale. A spokesperson for the department store stated that the decision was made after deeming the item could “cause offence.”
The company elaborated on its investigation with the supplier, who confirmed the globe’s cartographic approach. According to the supplier, certain countries, including Israel, are represented by numbers on the map and are then detailed in a separate key.
“It’s extremely important to us that we create an environment where everyone feels welcome and our customers can shop with confidence,” a Selfridges spokesperson commented. “Which is why we made the decision to remove the item from sale.” The item was reportedly removed from sale several weeks prior to the public outcry.
Accusations of “Cancelling” Israel
The incident has drawn criticism from pro-Israeli activists, with one such individual, Max Radford, accusing the department store of “cancelling” Israel. Radford claimed that the luxury retailer had received over 700 complaints regarding the globe’s design.
The historical context of Selfridges’ ownership also adds a layer to the controversy. The store was once owned by Sir Charles Clore, a prominent British Jewish businessman, after whom a beachfront park in Tel Aviv is named.
Customers have expressed their dismay online. One shopper wrote: “I am disgusted this was on the shelves of your store. It is factually incorrect and all stock of it needs to be disposed of.”
Selfridges has reiterated its commitment to inclusivity and stated that it would never intend to cause offence. The company has assured the public that the item was promptly investigated and removed from sale as soon as the issue was brought to their attention.
