Bella Hadid breaks silence on removal from ad campaign amid controversy
The model attended a demonstration in New York and shared images on social media, May 16, 2021 (Photo by Instagram/bellahadid)
Renowned model Bella Hadid has addressed her removal from a major advertising campaign following backlash from pro-Israel groups.
Hadid stated that she was unaware of the historical context of the advertisement and criticized the association of Palestine with terrorism.
In a statement on her social media account, Hadid expressed that she would never knowingly participate in a project linked to a “horrific tragedy.”
She emphasized that she had no knowledge of the advertisement’s connection to the 1972 Munich Olympics prior to its release.
Hadid reaffirmed her commitment to combating anti-Semitism but stressed that the events of the 1972 Munich Olympics should not be linked with the Palestinian cause.
“Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism. This ad, unintentionally, highlighted an event that does not reflect who we are,” she said.
Adidas apologized, stating that Hadid’s involvement in the campaign, which featured shoes associated with the 1972 Munich Olympics, had caused “distress and discomfort.”
The company claimed that the advertisement was connected to “tragic historical events.”
The 1972 Munich Olympics saw a Palestinian group take hostage Israeli athletes in the Olympic Village, leading to the deaths of 11 Israeli sportsmen.
