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The retailer was criticized earlier this month for putting the Star of David on its ceiling.
The Star of David has been rehung on the ceiling of the Pick n Pay store in Norwood. Picture: X/@SAJBD
Supermarket chain Pick n Pay has rehung the Magen David or Star of David in their Norwood, Johannesburg, store, saying the display is not meant to offend anyone or any group.
The retailer was criticised earlier this month for putting the symbol on its ceiling. Pro-Palestine groups BDS Movement, Palestine Solidarity Alliance and the South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) staged an in-store protest at Pick n Pay Norwood on 11 April.
The groups demanded that the store remove imagery of Israel, including a flag and the Star of David.
Pick n Pay told The Citizen its display of the symbol was then taken down, before being put back up again.
“Our Norwood Hyper store, ahead of Pesach, independently put ribbons on the ceiling to celebrate in the spirit of celebration for Judaism. Unfortunately, these were open to misinterpretation regarding their intent and were removed.
“All approved Pesach signage and the Star of David – a symbol recognised for millennia as representative of Judaism – remained in place at Norwood.
“At no point was offence ever intended to our customers. Inclusivity is at the heart of Pick n Pay – we employ all, serve all, love all, and respect all. This principle has always guided how we do business, and it always will,” the retailer said.
The retailer said its stores have always “aimed to be welcoming spaces for everyone”.
“We celebrate all significant cultural and religious holidays observed by our diverse customer base. We recently extended our well wishes for Ramadan and Pesach, and this week we will celebrate Easter with our customers.”
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The SA Jewish Board said it was hurt by the removal of the symbol and had demanded an apology from the retailer.
“We have conveyed to Pick n Pay our profound sense of hurt and outrage over this incident, and how we find it completely unacceptable that the universally recognised symbol of our Jewish faith and heritage should be banned from public spaces in this way,” the SAJBD said.
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