Trick or trope?
A popular Halloween decoration from Amazon is sending a scary message to Jewish Americans who are blasting it as the “oldest antisemitic smear.”
The life-sized animatronic witch has the classic spooky look – scary claws, menacing facial features – and a spell book.
But instead of the coven’s classic five-pointed pentacle, her spellbook bizarrely reveals a prominent Star of David, which critics say feeds into the dangerous trope of Jews as sorcerers casting a spell on the world.
One Brooklyn woman who inadvertently planted the $219 Amazon decoration from Collective Home on her front lawn was horrified when reached by The Post to discover the Jewish symbolism.
“I’m very upset, this is horrible,” cried the woman, who insisted, “I don’t want to insult any religion. I’m sensitive about these things. I’m a big supporter of Israel and the Jewish people.”
Her handyman unboxed and assembled the six-foot witch and “I didn’t even look at it,” said the shaken woman, who added, “I should take it up with Amazon.”
Jewish New Yorkers are not charmed.
“Amazon is openly selling a life-size witch reading from a spell book stamped with the Star of David. It’s the oldest antisemitic smear – Jews are sorcerers or practice witchcraft,” fumed Moshe Spern, president of the United Jewish Teachers group.
“This trope is now repackaged as Halloween décor and shipped by the biggest retailer on earth. Somebody at Amazon either didn’t notice or didn’t care. And now it shows up in Brooklyn, New York with all time highs in antisemitism.”
Watchdog group StopAntisemitism laced into the larger pattern of problematic Jewish imagery baked into everyday items, which also includes a rebranded Dr. Evil costume whose signature pinky ring now features a Jewish star.
The Austin Powers’ character’s original ring included an “E” and crest.
“With antisemitism skyrocketing, it is disturbing to see Jewish symbols quietly inserted into Halloween costumes: a Star of David on a witch’s spellbook and a Jewish star replacing the ring on an Austin Powers/Mr. Evil costume. These changes may be presented as small design details, but they evoke harmful stereotypes and can normalize antisemitism,” Liora Rez, founder and executive director StopAntisemitism, told The Post.
“Amazon must take accountability for the products it sells to consumers, especially when they are marketed for a holiday so closely associated with children. Amazon should remove these items immediately.”
It’s the latest seemingly harmless novelty that was met with blowback.
A CVS Barbie was accused of carrying Nazi symbolism in its packaging, causing a firestorm that led to vows of boycotting Mattel.
The Post reached out to Amazon for comment.