US model Bella Hadid has expressed her shock and disappointment over her involvement in an Adidas campaign that unintentionally referenced the 1972 Munich Olympics tragedy.
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Campaign Controversy
- Campaign Details: The campaign for Adidas’ SL72 retro trainers referenced the 1972 Munich Olympics, a tragic event where 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer were killed by the Palestinian group Black September.
- Hadid’s Reaction: Bella Hadid, who is of Palestinian descent, stated, “I am shocked, I am upset, and I am disappointed in the lack of sensitivity that went into this campaign.”
- Adidas’ Response: Adidas has apologized and announced plans to revise the campaign. The brand confirmed to AFP that Hadid had been removed from the campaign.
Bella Hadid’s Statement
- Lack of Awareness: Hadid emphasized that she was unaware of the historical connection to the 1972 events before the campaign’s release. She expressed regret over not researching the campaign more thoroughly.
- Condemnation of Hate: “I do not believe in hate in any form, including antisemitism,” Hadid said, stressing her commitment to advocating for peace and understanding.
- Support for Palestine: As a proud Palestinian woman, Hadid stated, “Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism,” and she will continue to stand by her people while advocating against antisemitism.
Broader Impact and Reactions
- Adidas’ Apology: Adidas Originals apologized on Instagram, stating that the connection to the 1972 attack was “not meant” and acknowledged the unintentional mistake.
- Public Reaction: The campaign attracted criticism towards Hadid on social media, though some users defended her and called for a boycott of Adidas after the campaign was pulled.
Context of the Gaza Conflict
- Conflict Overview: The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen significant casualties, with Hamas launching attacks on Israel and Israel responding with a military campaign.
- Casualties: Over 39,000 people have been killed in the conflict, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the violence.
Bella Hadid’s response underscores the sensitivity required in campaigns involving historical events and the importance of thorough research and understanding in the creative process.
