Mr. Brandon Stranzl
Executive Chairman
Sears Canada
290 Yonge Street Suite700
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 2C3

June 6, 2017

Dear Mr. Stranzl:

I was horrified to learnthis morning that Sears.com is selling at least a dozen types of "FreePalestine" shirts on its website (see pictures attached).  The shirtsand their messaging are propaganda tools for the Palestinian movement that isfueling antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on university campuses andbeyond.  

More significantly, oneof the shirts actually has an imprint of the map of Israel – signifying thatall of Israel is "occupied" - is Sears adding its voice in callingfor the destruction of the State of Israel?  Most of the shirts have animage of a fist - is Sears Canada promoting violence (through this type ofsymbolism)?  Additionally, the messaging on the shirts is provided withlittle context - "Free Palestine" and "End IsraelOccupation" and "Free Gaza".  As you are aware, Gaza isexclusively under Hamas control while the so-called "occupation" is atragedy of the Palestinian leadership's unwillingness to negotiate peace withIsrael.

May I remind you that in2015, my organization located a Heys Journey style luggage at Sears in thePromenade mall in Thornhill which omitted Israel from the world map displayedon the entire suitcase.  At that time, Heys Canada apologized and blamedthe distributor in Dubai, however there seems to be a pattern at Sears.

While Sears.ca does notappear to be selling the "Free Palestine" shirts on its website, Irequest that your company contact its American counterpart immediately aboutpulling these shirts from your website.  In the meantime, our communitywould be hard pressed to shop at Sears until this matter is corrected and anapology is provided. 

Sincerely,

Avi Benlolo

President & CEO

cc: Edward Lampert,Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sears

Help FSWC Tell Sears to Remove Inflammatory Shirts from Its Website by signing FSWC's petition: https://www.friendsofsimonwiesenthalcenter.com/petition

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