Adidas Drops Bella Hadid from Campaign After Israel Criticism
Adidas has made the decision to drop supermodel Bella Hadid from an advertising campaign for retro shoes referencing the 1972 Munich Olympics after facing criticism from Israel. The German sportswear company had chosen Hadid to promote its SL72 trainers, which were first launched to coincide with the 1972 Olympics.
Israel had accused Hadid of hostility towards the country and noted the tragic events that occurred during the 1972 Munich Games, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian attackers. This led to backlash on social media, including on Israel’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), calling for a boycott of Adidas.
In response to the controversy, Adidas issued an apology and stated that they would be “revising the remainder of the campaign” with immediate effect. The company acknowledged the unintentional connections made to tragic historical events and expressed regret for any upset or distress caused.
Bella Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and earlier this year donated money to support relief efforts for the war in Gaza. She has been outspoken about the lack of empathy towards the Palestinian people and has actively participated in fundraising efforts to support those affected by the conflict.
Despite the criticism and subsequent removal from the campaign, Hadid continues to advocate for the Palestinian community and raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The controversy surrounding the Adidas campaign serves as a reminder of the complexities and sensitivities surrounding political and social issues in the world of fashion and advertising.
