Palestinian Bella Hadid removed from Adidas campaign following Israeli pressure

World-renowned Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid has been removed from a shoe advertisement for which she was the brand face, following backlash from pro-Israel lobby groups and organizations.

Speaking to USA Today, a spokesperson for the sportswear and equipment manufacturer Adidas stated that they apologized for the "upset and distress" caused by the inclusion of Hadid, who is known for her opposition to Israel, in the advertisement for a shoe model used during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Noting that the shoe advertisement featuring Hadid had been linked to "tragic historical events," the spokesperson stated that the remainder of the campaign would be reviewed.

BACKLASH AGAINST ADIDAS FROM PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY GROUPS

Adidas deleted all social media posts from the shoe advertising campaign featuring Hadid, who is known for her opposition to Israel's policies in Palestine and her stance on many platforms against the genocide in Gaza, following reactions from pro-Israel lobby groups.

Pro-Israel lobby groups and organizations brought up the fact that "11 Israelis were killed by Palestinians at the Munich Olympics" on their social media accounts and reacted to Adidas, claiming that Hadid, who advertised the shoe used in those games, was "spreading antisemitism and engaging in anti-Israel sentiment."

During the 1972 Munich Olympics, a Palestinian organization raided the Olympic Village on September 5 and took Israeli athletes hostage. Following this event, which resulted in the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes, the games were paused for one day.

Meanwhile, the world-famous model had founded a company called "Watermelon Pictures" with her sister Gigi and older sister Alana Hadid, which she described as an "independent film distribution, production, and financing entity for Palestinians."

News Source: AA