One of the biggest Norwegian banks DNB has issued a credit card with a picture of “a hook-nosed Jew, laughing gleefully against a backdrop of gold coins,” according to The Jerusalem Post.
The card annoyed The Hallelu Foundation, which tries to create a positive image of Israel in the world. The foundation has accused the bank of anti-Semitism.
The foundation contacted the bank and asked to clarify the situation. DNB said that the design of the card was chosen by a customer of the bank.
"We have been notified about a picture of a Visa card issued by us, with an anti-Semitic drawing of a Jew. We have, however, strict guidelines for what kind of pictures that are allowed, and this control is manual. Unfortunately, our manual controls have failed in this particular case, and we are deeply sorry for that,” stated the apology from the bank published on Hallelu’s Facebook page.
The bank also clarified that the card will be blocked, and the client will be given a new one with a neutral design.
Last year, Spanish clothes retailer Zara had to remove a striped baby shirt with a sewn-on badge similar to the Star of David, after shoppers were outraged by its similarities to a Nazi death camp uniform.
“The item in question, part of the Cowboy Collection for babies, was inspired by the character of the sheriff in Wild West movies,” explained the store.