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Real History and Israel’s sensitivities The Index to the Traditional Enemies of Free Speech Alphabetical index (text) August 12, 2003, 4:33 AM EDT Hong Kong Chain Drops Nazi-Themed Clothing By DIRK BEVERIDGE Associated Press Writer HONG KONG — A Hong Kong fashion company has removed Nazi-themed clothing from its 14 stores after complaints from Israeli and German diplomats in the territory.
Israeli Consul General Eli Avidar had denounced the company for what he called “immoral actions” by launching a sales campaign that “totally desecrates the deaths of millions of people under the Nazi regime and legitimizes evil.” German Consul General Heinrich Beuth also complained.
After receiving complaints last week, the company removed all Nazi-themed store decorations, including flags and a propaganda video, but the clothing remained until Monday when executives met and decided to remove the merchandise. “We don’t want to upset anybody,” said Deborah Cheng , marketing manager of the retailer, which goes by the Internet-style name http://www.izzue.com . “We were a bit politically insensitive . We don’t wish to make any race unhappy about it,” she said Tuesday.
One of the T-shirts for sale had a portrait of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler standing on a laurel. Decorations in the stores included red banners adorned with swastikas and a sign that resembled a Third Reich symbol — an eagle above a swastika. One outlet used a film projector to show Nazi propaganda footage.
Cheng had said earlier the company did not believe many Hong Kong Chinese customers would be offended, but acknowledged Tuesday that executives had not counted on getting such a response from foreigners. Disputes over Nazi symbols as marketing tools have emerged before in Asia, where many people are not as sensitive to the Holocaust as Europeans and Americans are.
In April, soft drink giant Coca-Cola pulled a promotional robot figurine adorned with what appeared to be Nazi swastikas following criticism from a Jewish leader in Hong Kong. Taiwan’s ruling party used an image of Hitler in television ads two years ago, but withdrew it after fierce criticism from Jewish groups.