Walmart’s Israeli solider and ‘Sheik Fagin’ costumes attract criticism

It’s not clear what Walmart (WMT) or Amazon (AMZN) were intending when they listed a child-sized Israeli Army soldier’s uniform as a Halloween costume, but inciting a social media controversy probably wasn’t the goal.

Several people have taken to Walmart’s website to condemn the costume in the reviews. Though the accompanying picture shows a child in the costume holding a toy Uzi submachine replica, the product description notes the costume comes only with “shirt, pants, belt, and hat”.

‘Might as well sell a Hitler outfit for children as well!

Critics say the sale is a sign the retailers have become insensitive to the longstanding conflict between Palestinians and Israelis after a month that has seen a rise in violence between the two sides.

The BBC reports that more than 40 Palestinians and nine Israelis have been killed in October through renewed episodes of violence.

Many on Twitter felt the costume borders on insensitivity and spared no words in criticizing the retailer’s choice.

‘So little kids will be knocking on my door next Saturday saying, “Trick or… wow, your house is nice”.

While another person added: “Be a systematic genocide enforcing sociopath this Halloween with this kids” Israeli soldier costume’.

Another Halloween costume stocked by Walmart that drew outrage is a “Latex prosthetic nose flawless for an Arab Sheik”, featuring a large nose on a man clad in traditional Arab attire.

Daily Mail Online has contacted Walmart for comment and is awaiting a response.