If you’re a store vendor, your main concern should obviously be the quality of your products. In these days with social media around, it takes a quick flick on the smartphone for someone to go viral for all the wrong reasons.
This was the case for cheap2shop, an RM2.10 low-cost items shop that went viral after photos of the store selling a toy with the Israel flag on it was circulated online.
Netizens flew into rage mode after seeing the photo and expressed their anger towards the store.
“I just want to ask, how come the workers didn’t notice the logo? Or even the manager or supervisor? Don’t they know that Malaysia doesn’t support Israel and never had diplomatic relations with them since last time?
What were they doing in school? It’s not possible that their teachers didn’t teach them this in school!”
“Malaysia does not recognize Israel as a country, please understand. This isn’t only a religious issue.”
Finally, a store representative posted on Facebook apologizing over the mistake and overlooking racial insensitivity issues.
“We have returned the items back to our headquarters and we have decided to not display them again.”
The store thanked the public for giving them this information and letting them know. They reassured that these mistakes will never repeat again.
Why is it offensive?
The two countries currently do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. In fact, in 2019, Tun Dr Mahathir stressed that Israelis should not visit Malaysia due to the relationship the countries share.
Bernama reported that Dr Mahathir said Malaysia had the right to keep its border closed to certain people, especially from countries the nation feels are doing a lot of wrongdoings.
What do you think of this issue? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Did You Know Māsians Can Visit Israel Without A Passport? Hereās What It Takes
