Hitler lookalike key rings and magnets on sale in Taiwan 7-Eleven

TAIPEI (AFP) - A Hitler lookalike appeared on key rings and magnets on sale at 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan, triggering strong reaction on Monday from the de facto Israeli embassy, which said it was 'appalled'.

The items, seen at several 7-Eleven convenience stores in Taipei, sported an Adolf Hitler-style cartoon figure with a short black moustache, a brown jacket and a red, black and white symbol reminiscent of the Nazis' swastika banners.

'We were appalled to see the Hitler lookalike image being used, again, as marketing aid, and sold in Taiwan's 7-Eleven stores,' said Simona Halperin, representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.

'I find it tragic that once again, people (in) marketing and promotion fail to recognise the meaning of the dark age in human history the Nazi dictator represents.' She added that she was sure the images were the result of 'ignorance' and did not reflect 'support or identification with the atrocities committed during the Holocaust by the Nazis.' An official from President Chain Store, which runs 7-Eleven in Taiwan, denied the images were meant to represent the German dictator.