In light of the recent Adidas ad controversy surrounding the Munich Olympics theme, Bella Hadid has taken to social media to express her disappointment and outrage. The model and activist shared her views on Instagram, voicing her concerns about the lack of sensitivity that was exhibited in the campaign.
The Adidas ad in question featured Hadid holding a sneaker from the ’70s, which was meant to honor the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Olympics. However, the tragic history behind those games, where 11 Israeli athletes and one German police officer were killed by a Palestinian militant group, was not taken into consideration during the creation of the ad.
Adidas has since issued an apology for the insensitivity of the campaign and the negative impact it had on Hadid and the other models involved. The brand acknowledged the distress caused to communities around the world and expressed regret for the unintended connections made to the tragic events of the Munich Olympics.
As the daughter of Palestinian heritage, Bella Hadid has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian causes. She made it clear that she was unaware of the historical context of the Munich Olympics and dissociated herself from any association with such a tragic event. Hadid emphasized that Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism and that the ad inadvertently highlighted an event that does not accurately represent the Palestinian culture.
In response to allegations of antisemitism, Hadid adamantly stated that antisemitism has no place in the fight for Palestinian liberation. She stressed that she stands for peace over violence and that her advocacy for Palestinian rights should not be misconstrued as being antisemitic in any way.
Bella Hadid’s response to the Adidas ad controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the historical significance behind certain events and the need for sensitivity in advertising campaigns. It also sheds light on the complexities of advocating for social justice causes while navigating potential misconceptions and misinterpretations.