Bella Hadid – world-renowned American model, of Palestinian descent – has addressed her removal from Adidas advertisement due to backlash from pro-Israel lobbying groups and institutions.
Bella Hadid refuted the idea that Palestine and terrorism are synonymous, emphasizing her ignorance of the advertisement’s historical background. Hadid, who is well-known for her candid opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, complained about her absence from the shoe advertising on social media. She made it clear that she would never knowingly work on a project associated with a horrific tragedy. She said, “Before its release, I had no information about the historical connection of the advertisement to the events of 1972.”
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Hadid reaffirmed her commitment to fighting anti-Semitism while emphasizing that the freedom of the Palestinian people should not be linked to the events of the 1972 Munich Olympics. “Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism; this advertisement unintentionally highlighted an event that does not reflect who we are,” she declared, reiterating her steadfast support for the Palestinian cause.
It is pertinent to mention here that the situation of Bella Haid and Adidas advertisement started when Israel’s official X account posted something accusing Hadid of anti-Semitism and that she had urged violence. This led to Hadid being taken off the sneaker advertising. An Adidas representative expressed “sorrow and distress” over Hadid’s participation in the campaign, which featured the shoes worn at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and extended an apology.
According to the representative, the advertising associated Hadid with “tragic historical events.” Eleven Israeli athletes lost their lives as a result of a Palestinian group storming the Olympic Village on September 5, 1972, during the Munich Olympics. Hadid’s statement highlights her resolve to address the nuanced historical accounts surrounding the events of 1972 and to make her viewpoint clear as an advocate for the Palestinian people.
