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Amazon Removes Anti-Semitic Listing – But Only After YWN Threatens To Go Public


A blatantly anti-Semitic product posting on Amazon has been removed following a notice from YWN to the retail giant, though an earlier complaint to Amazon from a YWN reader went ignored.

The product in question was a linen set emblazoned with multiple swastikas, including on the bedsheet and pillowcases. A YWN reader emailed the company several days ago and was told that an investigation into the matter was underway, but the product posting remained live as of Wednesday morning.

The reader then contacted YWN about the issue, which in turn contacted Amazon for an explanation – including a note saying that an article would be published on the matter within the coming hours.

Amazon was immediately responsive to YWN, informing us that the product had now been removed from its website. When asked why it took a news organization to reach out for the product to be removed, and whether the seller’s account was suspended, Amazon sent back a canned response.

“All sellers must follow our selling guidelines, and those who do not will be subject to action including potential removal of their account,” an Amazon spokesperson said. “The product in question is no longer available.”

Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)



36 Responses

  1. Happy that such horrendous merchandise has been pulled. But isn’t this news article defeating the purpose of warning amazon that YWN will go public about this proffering unless its removed? Amazon can claim that they responded appropriately but they were smeared nonetheless .

  2. How in the world is this set of linen antisemitic?

    From the Holocaust Encyclopedia:
    “The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika, which means “good fortune” or “well-being.” The motif (a hooked cross) appears to have first been used in Eurasia, as early as 7000 years ago, perhaps representing the movement of the sun through the sky. To this day, it is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism. It is a common sight on temples or houses in India or Indonesia.”

    The swastikas on this linen would very much appear to belong in that category.
    Thanks to YWN for trying to play the hero, but we don’t need protection from a set of bed linen.

  3. I’m not sure those sheets are anti semetic as it reflects Hindu art which was replete with swastika imagery long before the nazis. That said, 99% of the buyers would likely be anti semetic. Im not sure what the right thing to do would be in this situation.

  4. Thank you, YWN.

    But I must say that you have your work cut out for you:

    The swastika was hijacked by the Nazi’s YMS and has been around for many years prior to the rise of Nazism.

    In fact, if you go to Amazon’s website and enter in Swastika you fill see that it is being sold as jewelry etc. as part of the Hindu faith.

    https://a.co/d/iwLxbmn

  5. So let me get this straight. YWN threatened Amazon that unless they removed the listing you would go public bashing them. So they remove the listing …. and you go public bashing them. Got it.

  6. This is obviously the Hindu symbol, further proof there is a need for the frumma to become educated about other faiths. FWIW the nazi symbol has the arms of the cross in opposite directions. Don’t get your panties in a wad just because you are uninformed.

  7. To All Claiming YWN Did Not Keep Their Word: The initial threat was to go public about the company aiding the dissemination of anti-Semitic items, which of course could potentially damage the company’s reputation and affect its profits. The article, as published, praises the company for standing up for what’s right, which of course could prove profitable for them.

    As to whether or not the symbol is in essence anti-Semitic: historical facts aside, the symbols is currently perceived a being related to the Nazi (ym”sh) regime, period. Perception is all that counts. It is not the Hindus among us who will buy the item. It is the neo-Nazis who will.

  8. shuali:
    It is not Amazon’s job to police who will buy items on their website for the wrong reasons.
    Just imagine if some twisted religious cult or ideology appropriated our Talis as part of their religion. Should it then be banned from being sold anywhere because some of the members of that cult might buy it?

  9. @Amil Zola –
    1) Look at the picture well: You will see that the symbols are printed in both direction: one in the form of four Hebrew letter TOVS and others the mirror image.
    2) Look at the National Statistics: You will find that the percentage of Shomrei Shabbos, Torah u’Mitzvos lawyers, doctors. PhDs, CEOs, Real Estate magnates, actuaries, CPAs, etc. far exceeds the percentage we make of the population. The percentage of HS graduates, the percentage of holders of BS, BA, MS, MBA, and PhD degrees, far outnumbers the percentage of the GENERAL population. So give up the nonsense of bashing our educational system. (A case in point: The owners of American Dream Mall learned in Yeshivas Kodshim (Rav Tzvi Kaplan) and never attended college as far as I know.)

  10. @Don’t Mind Me – Did I mention anything about policing? Shall the USA, or any other free country, remove laws against slander, bias, or pure hate. How about laws against violence?
    “Shoftim vi’Shotrim titen licha bichol shi’arecha!”
    The sheva mitzvos binei Noach include the requirement to have “dinim/mishpatim.”
    According to some, the first mitzvos commanded at Mara included such laws.

  11. To DontMindMe: Actually, I think it is Amazon’s job to police what is “published” on its website. Selling linens decorated with hate symbols might expose Amazon to liability. If the Swastika-decorated goods were posted with an explanation that they are offered as ancient Hindu or Buddhist art, not as Nazi art or symbols, would reduce or eliminate Amazon’s risk of liability. And just to be clear, I know the swastika is an old symbol, but I don’t know whether it has any connection with Hindu, Buddhist or any other religion or culture.

  12. The Nazi swastika had its point facing left. The Indian one’s points to the right. The symbols in the photo point to the right. However, they are surrounded by runic letters – not Indian but Gothic/Germanic. With points facing in both directions, perhaps people should look at other things the seller advertises before making a judgement.

  13. There’s an ultra-violent White gang in the deep south that uses the Magen David. Perhaps we should demand Amazon stop selling Magen David jewelry?

  14. “So why did you publish the article?”

    So they can take credit for publicizing something they threatened to publicize unless it was taken down.

  15. @ipchamistabra – Really? Look again. Some face left (the ones on both pillows and the large center one on the bed cover) and others face right (the two small ones on the cover).

  16. Let me explain for the intellectually challenged,

    Ywn threatened to go public with the story as going public would pressure them to take it down.

    When ywn went public it was to show the public that a news organization had to contact them to do the right thing and that they were not capable of do doing the right thing on their own.

    Your welcome

  17. Ummm, this is full of other Hindu symbols (i.e. the big Tilak) and most definitely the Hindu swastika. Not sure why a Nazi would want this unless they’re converting to Hinduism. But yea, I guess, thanks for forcing Amazon to pull it down based on ‘antisemitism’? I just hope Hindu’s don’t read this article. Could definitely create some strife with Hindus if they find out Jews are negating thousands of years of their cultural heritage because we think every swastika is antisemitic. Might not go over so well.

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