Ikea has apologized after backlash over releasing a catalog in Israel that didn't feature a single woman or girl. The catalog was targeted at the ultra Orthodox Haredi community that makes up about 10 percent of Israel's Jewish population [1].
No women in #israel [2] katolgue from @IKEA_Centennial [3]
In #israel [4] after pressure #jamaissanselle [5] #womensrights [6] pic.twitter.com/uYoC9p1TXE [7]— ulver johnsen (@UlverJ) February 16, 2017 [8]
I wonder @ikea [9] why you allow IKEA Israel to produce a magazine that excludes women in the name of religion. Money is no excuse, SHAME
— tammy gorali (@tammygorali) February 15, 2017 [10]
So IKEA made a special catalogue for ultra orthodox jews in Israel. With no women in it. World not doing so well right now are we?
— Madelene (@MadAxes) February 16, 2017 [11]
"We realize that people are upset about this and that the publication does not live up to what Ikea stands for and we apologize for this," Shuky Koblenz, Ikea's retail manager for Israel, said in a statement to Religion News Service [12]. "We will make sure that future publications will reflect what Ikea stands for and at the same time show respect for Haredi community."
The backlash comes amid growing concerns by Israelis who believe public advertisements are encouraging segregation between women and men. In 2012, Ikea also found itself in hot water when the company issued an apology for digitally removing women out of its Saudi Arabia catalog [13].
