Bella Hadid Speaks Out After Controversial Adidas Campaign

Supermodel Bella Hadid has publicly expressed her dismay after participating in an Adidas campaign that has come under fire for its perceived insensitivity. The campaign for the retro SL72 trainers referenced the 1972 Munich Olympics, an event marred by a tragic attack in which 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer were killed by a Palestinian group known as Black September.

Hadid, who is of Palestinian descent, took to Instagram to share her feelings about the controversy. "I am shocked, I am upset, and I am disappointed in the lack of sensitivity that went into this campaign," she wrote. "In advance of the campaign release, I had no knowledge of the historical connection to the atrocious events in 1972."

The campaign, which featured Hadid holding a floral bouquet to promote the trainers, coincided with the same year as the Munich Olympics. Adidas has since apologized and confirmed that it would revise the campaign. The brand also confirmed that Hadid would be removed from the campaign following the backlash.

Hadid emphasized her commitment to peace and her condemnation of antisemitism in her statement. "Connecting the liberation of the Palestinian people to an attack so tragic, is something that hurts my heart. Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism and this campaign unintentionally highlighted an event that does not represent who we are."

She continued, "I do not believe in hate in any form, including antisemitism. That will never waver, and I stand by that statement to the fullest extent."

Hadid, 27, has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian causes and earlier this year donated money to support relief efforts for the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She described herself as a "proud Palestinian woman" and reaffirmed her stance for peace over violence. "I will forever stand by my people of Palestine while continuing to advocate for a world free of antisemitism," she stated.

Adidas issued an apology on its Instagram account, explaining that any connection to the 1972 attack was "not meant" and that the campaign was being revised to avoid further distress. "We made an unintentional mistake," the German company admitted.

The controversy has sparked a mixed response on social media, with some users criticizing Hadid and others calling for a boycott of Adidas. The backlash highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding the events of the 1972 Munich Olympics and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israeli government's official social media accounts also condemned the campaign, leading to further scrutiny of Adidas' marketing decisions. Hadid's sister, Gigi Hadid, who is also a prominent model, has faced similar criticisms in the past due to her outspoken advocacy for Palestinian rights.

The SL72 trainers were originally launched in 1972 to coincide with the Munich Olympics, and the campaign intended to celebrate the heritage of the classic footwear. However, the historical connection to the tragic events of that year has overshadowed the campaign's intentions, leading to the current controversy.

In a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and continues to cause widespread suffering, Hadid's statements highlight the complex and often painful intersections of history, identity, and commerce in the world of fashion and beyond.