Adidas Faces Backlash Over Bella Hadid Ad Campaign
Adidas recently faced criticism for including supermodel Bella Hadid in an ad campaign for its retro SL72 shoes, inspired by the 1972 Munich Olympics. The Germany-based sportswear company received backlash from Israel, with the official Israeli account objecting to Hadid being the face of their campaign.
Bella Hadid’s Advocacy for Palestine
Bella Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, has been an outspoken advocate for the Palestinian cause and has publicly criticized the Israeli government. In light of the recent conflict in Gaza, Hadid issued a statement on Instagram expressing condolences for the loss of innocent lives and calling for the protection of civilians.
Adidas’ Response and Controversy
In response to the backlash, Adidas issued an apology and announced that they would be modifying the remainder of the campaign. The company emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion in all its endeavors. The decision to include Hadid in the campaign was condemned by the American Jewish Committee, citing her anti-Israel stance as problematic.
The ad campaign, which also commemorates the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Olympics, features other notable personalities such as football player Jules Koundé, rapper A$AP Nast, musician Melissa Bon, and model Sabrina Lan. However, social media posts featuring Hadid have been removed amidst the controversy.
This is not the first controversy surrounding Adidas, as the company faced previous backlash for designs resembling Nazi symbolism. Despite these incidents, Adidas maintains its commitment to promoting diversity and opposing xenophobia and hatred.
