Amazon has removed Christmas ornaments depicting the Auschwitz concentration camp from its site following backlash on social media. On Sunday, the official Twitter account for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum posted screenshots of bell- and snowflake-shaped ornaments on sale on Amazon that featured photos of the Nazi camp where more than one million people, mostly Jews, were killed.
"Selling 'Christmas ornaments' with images of Auschwitz does not seem appropriate," the Auschwitz Memorial account tweeting, asking Amazon to remove the items.
Selling "Christmas ornaments" with images of Auschwitz does not seem appropriate. Auschwitz on a bottle opener is rather disturbing and disrespectful. We ask @amazon to remove the items of those suppliers.
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) December 1, 2019
The tweet received 9,000 retweets, as well as thousands of comments from social media users, many of whom asked the same question:
What is wrong with people? Who would buy that let alone make it?
— Siobhan (@siobhanoc1) December 1, 2019
People were outraged that it would occur to anyone to turn images of Auschwitz into something festive.
Jeff Bezo's @amazon I join my family's voice w/ @AuschwitzMuseum to request you IMMEDIATELY REMOVE all "holiday" ornaments and other "gifts" for sale that display Auschwitz. Not only is this disrespectful but SHAMEFUL that someone in your org would even think this appropriate!
— Julia Burrell (@republiclvr) December 1, 2019
The Auschwitz Memorial posted an update on Sunday to say that it seemed that Amazon had removed the ornaments, but that there were more disturbing products on the site: a "Massacre Auschwitcz Birkenau Jewish Death" mousepad, and another mousepad depicting a freight car used to transport the camp's prisoners.
Sadly, it is not over yet @amazon. The "Massacre Auschwitcz (!) Birkenau Jewish Death" mousepad is another disturbing online product. We are not sure if @yadvashem would like the "Christmas ornament" with a freight car used for deporting Jews for extermination either.
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) December 1, 2019
Following a similar outcry, Amazon removed these items as well. "All sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who do not will be subject to action, including potential removal of their account," a spokesperson for Amazon told NBC News on Monday. Guidelines for sellers state that Amazon "does not allow products that promote, incite or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual or religious intolerance or promote organizations with such views."
The Auschwitz Memorial thanked those who put pressure on the online retail giant to act, then posted another tweet indicating that the ornaments were still available on the e-commerce site Wish.com, prompting the retailer to also remove the products. "These items are completely inappropriate and should not have been listed by sellers on our platform. We are removing them as a matter of urgency," a spokesperson for Wish told Reuters.
"Christmas ornaments" with images from Auschwitz are also available on @WishShopping. We hope that their reaction will be similar to #Amazon and such project will be quickly removed too.
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) December 2, 2019
"We consider this rather an isolated incident," Pawel Sawicki, press officer for the Auschwitz Memorial, told Reuters. "What seems to be an issue is that more and more producers use some image-grabbing software and place hundreds of images on their products hoping to find customers." And if you want to get educated about why these Auschwitz products caused such a reaction, learn more about the Holocaust amid these 30 Astonishing Facts About World War II That Will Change the Way You View It Forever.
Diana Bruk Diana is a senior editor who writes about sex and relationships, modern dating trends, and health and wellness.Read moreFiled UnderHistory • NewsRead This NextToy Monkey Reunites Holocaust Survivor with Long Lost Family, Goes Viral
Warning: Get some Kleenex, ASAP.November 15, 201830 Astonishing Facts About World War II That Will Change the Way You View It Forever
History's largest conflict is far more complex than you'd imagine.January 14, 201923 Heartwarming Photos From Pride Celebrations Around the World
Check out these inspirational moments caught on camera.April 29, 201913 Artifacts Found in the Titanic Wreckage
Here's a glimpse into the lives of those aboard the ill-fated ship.June 21, 202311 Important Historical Moments in the U.S. That Are Rarely Taught in School
These are the facts that weren't in your history books.August 15, 201945 Historical Sites That No Longer Exist
You'll never believe how much history we've hit with a wrecking ball. August 28, 201940 Facts You Learned in the 20th Century That Are Totally Bogus Today
These elementary school facts don't hold up in the 21st century. February 22, 201810 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.March 21, 2017Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.November 15, 2016Driving Tips Smart Men Know
Ten easy ways to be the safest driver on the road. April 3, 2017
