“This is a symbol of militarism, of oppression, of apartheid.”

DEARBORN — Walmart took down the page for a children’s Israeli soldier Halloween costume after outrage from the Arab American community and Palestinian solidarity activists.  

The costume, which made international headlines, features a red beret, a plastic gun and a dark green military uniform that displays a Hebrew abbreviation for “Israeli Defense Forces.”

In addition to the military costume, Arab Americans were angry about another product. Walmart was selling a nose-shaped plastic piece dubbed, “Shiek fagin nose.”

Community activists condemned Walmart, and civil rights organizations called on supporters to contact the international chain to complain about the product. 

Sale of the costume coincided with violent clashes this month in which Israeli soldiers have killed more than 50 Palestinians. 

The Islamic Center of Detroit has canceled its plans to donate $500 Walmart gift cards to 50 Syrian refugees. Instead, the center will purchase the cards from another store. 

“Ironically, the very people Walmart has chosen to misrepresent constitute their most influential customer base in Dearborn,” Michigan’s Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) said in a statement.

ADC had sent a national alert with a letter to Walmart, demanding the chain remove the costumes and address the concerns of customers it offended.

“This rise in bigotry is a serious problem in America that is exacerbated by the xenophobic rhetoric espoused by the media and politicians,” the letter reads. “Walmart’s decision to sell racist costumes acts to further affirm and normalize this racism.”

ADC also warned Walmart that perpetuating racism can lead to discrimination and hate crimes.

Walmart is already the subject of criticism from labor movements that accuse the megastore of underpaying workers.

George Khoury, a member of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, said he was outraged by the costume.

“This is a symbol of militarism, of oppression, of apartheid,” he said. “That’s what’s abusing us at every checkpoint. Every time the settlers attack us, the soldiers who wear that uniform appear to protect the settlers.”

Khoury said Halloween should be a celebration of children not injustice.

“The way I look at it, as a Palestinian, they are following me here,” he added.

Khoury, a Jerusalem-born veteran activist, added that if children wearing the Israeli uniform knocked on his door, he would still give them candy. 

Dearborn artist Sami Salami said he never shops at Walmart, and the Israeli soldier costume cements his decision.

He said he was shocked to see the costume.

“It is ignorant, repulsive, and grossly insensitive,” he added.

Palestinian activist Dr. Daad Katato said the costume fuels hatred and promotes desensitization to the suffering of Palestinians. 

“It is a disgrace that Walmart, a nationally renowned and respected corporation, would carry such an item. It is extremely insensitive to the plight of the Palestinians,” she told The Arab American News. “What is even more baffling is that this is a children’s costume.” 

Ken Harb, president of the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine, said the costume is a “sick commentary about the values of Israel and its supporters.”

Posts denouncing Walmart also flooded social media Tuesday.

“The perfect costume for the kid that wants to murder and steal from other kids on Halloween and get away with it,” wrote Twitter user Saiyan Carl.

Journalist Max Blumenthal tweeted a photo of an injured Palestinian child and a screenshot of the costume from Walmart’s website.

“How Walmart is promoting occupation and the killing of innocent children this Halloween,” he wrote. 

Walmart did not return The Arab American News’ request for comment.

By Tuesday evening, the offensive costumes were no longer available online. The Israeli soldier Halloween outfit was labelled as out of stock by 5 p.m. eastern time.

Now the webpage for the costume says, “We can’t find the product you are looking for, but we have similar items for you to consider.”