'Merry Ham-mas' Bag Pulled by Supermarket After Christmas Pun Fails to Amuse

2023-11-09 13:34:18

Supermarket Pulls 'Merry Ham-mas' Bag As Christmas Pun Falls Flat

An Australian supermarket has removed a drawstring bag from its Christmas collection after concerns were raised over a Christmas pun. The bag, featuring the phrase "Merry Ham-mas!", sparked controversy when the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) pointed out that it could be interpreted as a reference to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The bag, designed to store a Christmas ham in the fridge, became the subject of controversy due to the similarity between "Ham-mas" and "Hamas". The AJA politely requested that the bag be taken off the market, given the recent events and the perception that the slogan sounds like the word Hamas.

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Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries including the UK, the US, and Australia. The bag, which had instructions on the other side for keeping the ham fresh, was quickly removed from sale after the AJA's concerns were raised.

Apologetic Response

In response to the controversy, the owners of the retail chain, Wesfarmers, issued an apology. A spokesperson acknowledged that they had made a mistake and hadn't considered all the implications when designing the product. The bag has since been removed from sale.

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Resolution After Social Media Backlash

The Australian Jewish Association tweeted about the controversial bag, garnering attention and prompting swift action. Within an hour of the AJA's initial post, senior management at Wesfarmers confirmed that the bag would be taken down from the website.

The removal of the bag demonstrates the sensitivity surrounding certain topics and the need for companies to be mindful of unintended associations. This incident serves as a reminder to thoroughly consider all potential interpretations and cultural sensitivities when designing products.

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