ALBAWABA - In response to criticism over a shoe commercial that featured American-Palestinian model Bella Hadid, Adidas has issued an apology to Israel.
The campaign's connection to the 1972 Munich Olympics, when Israeli team members were assaulted, was the source of the issue.
The Israeli army, described as the most unethical among militaries due to its record of "massacres" against children and women, is also one of the biggest investors in media campaigns to enhance its image. Israeli authorities strongly criticized the decision to include Bella Hadid in the campaign.
The Israeli embassy in Berlin condemned the choice on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "Do you know who the spokesperson for the campaign is? Bella Hadid, known for promoting anti-Semitism and calling for violence against Jews and Israelis."
In a statement sent to CNN on Friday, an Adidas representative stated: "We are currently reviewing the remaining aspects of the campaign." We will keep working to promote diversity and equality in all we do because we think that sports have the ability to unite people everywhere.
Bella Hadid has been vocal against the current conflict in Gaza and atrocities against Palestinians on many occasions. The Palestinian-American model wrote on Instagram in October of last year, "My heart is bleeding from the shock of what I see," alluding to the continuing genocide in Gaza that has claimed 39,424 Palestinians and 1,139 people killed in Israel since October 7, according to the Ministry of Health in the area
Israeli authorities have sharply criticized the campaign's choice to include Hadid. The Israeli embassy in Berlin expressed its disapproval of the decision on X (previously Twitter), writing, "You know who the campaign's spokesperson is? Bella Hadid, well-known for encouraging anti-Semitism and calling for acts of murder against Jews and Israelis."
Adidas reintroduced the SL72 shoe, a throwback style based on the one used at the Munich Olympics.
