Luxury Retailer Pulls World Globes After Outcry Over Missing Israel
A prominent high-end department store, Selfridges, has removed illuminated, rotating world globes from its shelves following a significant backlash from customers who discovered Israel was conspicuously absent from the maps. Instead, Palestine was prominently labelled in capital letters, sparking accusations of bias and factual inaccuracy.
The controversial globes, available at Selfridges’ flagship store on Oxford Street, depicted neighbouring countries like Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia clearly marked with their respective capitals. However, the omission of Israel and its prominent representation of Palestine raised immediate concerns among shoppers.
Customers took to social media and directly to the retailer to express their dismay. One shopper highlighted that while Cyprus was clearly labelled by name, Israel was relegated to a small number, ’30’, on the map. This was particularly galling given Israel’s significantly larger landmass compared to Cyprus.
Further compounding the issue, Palestine, with an area reportedly up to 2,400 square miles (including Gaza), was prominently displayed. In contrast, Jordan, a considerably larger nation spanning approximately 34,000 square miles, was also represented by a number rather than its name. This inconsistency in the cartographic approach fuelled customer frustration.
Selfridges acknowledged the customer complaints and confirmed the immediate withdrawal of the product from sale, stating that it could “cause offence.”
Retailer’s Explanation and Supplier’s Response
In response to customer inquiries, Selfridges explained that the globe employed a numbering system for certain smaller countries, with their names listed on a separate key. However, the apparent selective application of this system, favouring some nations over others, was a key point of contention.
A spokesperson for Selfridges elaborated on the decision to remove the item: “We have also investigated this with the supplier and they have confirmed the globe uses a method of cartography, where some countries, such as Israel, are numbered on the map and are listed on 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, which is why we made the decision to remove the item from sale.”
Activist Accusations and Customer Reactions
The incident drew sharp criticism from pro-Israeli activists. Max Radford, a prominent activist, accused the department store of “cancelling” Israel. He claimed that Selfridges had received over 700 complaints regarding the globes.
The historical connection between Selfridges and the Jewish community was also noted, with the store once owned by British Jewish businessman Sir Charles Clore, after whom a beachfront park in Tel Aviv is named.
Customer reactions online were equally strong. One individual expressed their disgust, writing, “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.”
The controversy highlights the sensitive nature of geographical representations and the importance of accuracy and inclusivity in retail products, especially those intended for educational or decorative purposes. The swift action by Selfridges to address customer concerns and remove the offending product underscores the growing awareness of such issues in the retail landscape.
