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Hate for sale this holiday season

 

 

December 3, 2015, TORONTO — More than two years after B’nai Brith first notified Amazon about the sale of disturbing hate paraphernalia on its online store, the retail giant continues to ignore its corporate moral and ethical responsibility to Canadian consumers.

“B’nai Brith brought this issue to Amazon’s attention more than two years ago,” said Michael Mostyn, CEO, B’nai Brith Canada. “For a company striving, in its own words, to be Earth’s most customer centric corporation, it is extremely disappointing that Amazon has chosen to selectively self censor their catalogue. While flags and paraphernalia of the Islamic State appear to be banned, there are dozens of items emblazoned with hate iconography including swastikas, Nazi imagery and the logos of banned terror organizations such as a Hezbollah baby outfit ‘for Hezbollah lovers’.

“This begs the questions why Amazon would ignore its moral and ethical responsibility regarding the sale of all Nazi and terrorist paraphernalia. Our Anti-Hate Hotline continues to receive multiple complaints each month about items listed on Amazon, and the harmful effect that these items have in Canada. These items must be removed from sale immediately, and precautions taken to ensure that they are not re-listed. Canadians who have suffered antisemitism, racism or hate-motivated violence must not be revictimized.

“We once again call on Amazon to develop and implement a clear policy to prevent the listing and sale of all objects which promote hatred and intolerance. B’nai Brith has again written to Amazon offering its expertise should they wish to finally address this important issue.”

For further information please contact:
Sam Eskenasi
Director of Communications
B’nai Brith Canada
[email protected]
416-633-6224 x122