Target Wipes Israel Off the Map

Obviously the maniacs in Iran vow to wipe Israel off the map, but who knew a major American retail chain has already done so? The folks at Target have some explaining to do, because their mealy-mouthed excuses offered up just aren't cutting it.

It looks as if Iran has found allies in its quest to wipe Israel off the map -- the dopes at your friendly neighborhood Target store.

On sale exclusively at Target is this innocent-looking toy globe. Thousands of these trinkets have already moved out of malls, from Queens to Honolulu, and landed in living rooms and kids' rooms across America.

But folks who forked over a buck for the miniature worlds got less than they bargained for.

These planetary models contain just about all the countries on Earth -- from France to China, Singapore to Spain. But there's one glaring exception:

Israel.

In the spot where Israel should be, this word is printed: "Palestine." Some of those who unwittingly purchased the Israel-free orbs feel as if they've played a role in a modern-day Final Solution.

"They're teaching kids there is no Israel, only Palestine," said Rabbi Gary Moskowitz, who bought a globe at the Queens Center Mall for his 5-year-old daughter. "This encourages terrorism. This foments hatred."

Bob Kunst learned of the globe's omission when a friend's 12-year-old daughter in Florida asked innocently, "Where's Israel?"

"The very people who deny Israel's existence also deny the Holocaust," he said.

After receiving complaints, Target, which sold the globes for several weeks, finally responded. On Sunday, it began yanking the globes from its 1,744 stores in 49 states (Vermont is Target-free), and destroying them. We hope.

"We didn't want to offend any of our guests," said Amy Reilly of Target customer relations, who initially said the omission of Israel was due to lack of space on the item. (Isn't "Palestine" a longer word?)

Homina homina. Uh, Ms. Reilly, these people aren't your guests. They're your customers. Might want to get your story straight before they leave and never return.

Devrian Global Industries of New Jersey, which imported "tens of thousands" of globes from China, apologized. "Obviously, it was a mistake. We obviously offended some people. Now we're pulling them off the shelves," said chief merchandising officer Larry Fine. No estimate on how many were sold.

Larry Fine? Wow, they really are a bunch of stooges at Target.