- Kmart released a Christmas “Ham-mas” bag
- The store chain quickly realized its mistake
- Hamas invaded Israel on October 7
- READ MORE: Footy star’s Hamas backflip
Kmart has abruptly pulled a range of Christmas ham bags from its shelves over concerns the product displayed the title of the terrorist group Hamas.
The retail giant’s ‘Merry Ham-Mas’ bags pulled the $4 calico bags from stores and online after its parent company, Wesfarmers, received a complaint from the Australian Jewish Association on Wednesday.
Accidentally associating the Christmas period with a designated terrorist group was “definitely not a good idea”, the charity wrote to Wesfarmers.
Israel launched the war against Hamas after the Palestinian terror group that controls the Gaza Strip launched a series of terrorist attacks on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking around 240 others hostage.
Kmart has removed a $4 ‘Merry Ham-mas’ bag from its online store after the Australian Jewish Association highlighted the obvious error
The AJA assumed that “a product manager” probably made the seemingly obvious mistake
The AJA wrote on Twitter that it wanted to help Kmart avoid embarrassment by pointing out the obvious error.
‘Yes, it’s real!! While this may seem funny (the AJA committee has thrown in a few non-PC jokes), it’s really not a good idea,” he wrote.
“We suspect that a product manager could cause some embarrassment to the company.
“We have therefore politely written to Wesfarmers… suggesting that the product be withdrawn.”
Less than an hour after their initial message, the group said they received a response from Kmart senior management.
By around 5 p.m., Kmart had removed the bag from its storefront, but not before it spread across the Internet, amassing waves of ridicule.
Many customers said they thought the photos of the bag were a parody before realizing it was real.
One person said the pop-up Christmas ham bag was now destined to become a collector’s item thanks to its short lifespan on sale.
Another pointed out that Hamas itself would not be a fan of the product “given that the majority a) would not celebrate Christmas and b) would probably not eat pork.”
Kmart senior management confirmed receiving the comments and the “Ham-mas” bag was removed from its website at 5 p.m.
