Adidas Apologizes to Bella Hadid Amid Controversy Over Campaign

Adidas has issued an apology to model Bella Hadid after facing backlash for her involvement in a campaign promoting the retro SL72 trainers, originally launched for the 1972 Munich Olympics. The company announced it was "revising" the campaign following criticism from Israel, which highlighted Hadid's previous statements and actions perceived as antisemitic. The apology, shared on Instagram, acknowledged the unintended connections made to the tragic events of the Munich Olympics, where Israeli athletes were taken hostage by a Palestinian militant group. The controversy escalated when Israeli officials criticized Hadid's participation, citing her history of controversial remarks, including a chant during a 2021 march advocating for Palestinian rights. In response to the backlash, Adidas stated it was revising the campaign and expressed regret for any negative impact on Hadid and other partners involved. The American Jewish Committee condemned the decision, labeling it either a significant oversight or a deliberate provocation. Support for Hadid emerged from various quarters, including fellow Adidas ambassador Amani al-Khatahtbeh, who defended Hadid as a vital advocate for human rights. Al-Khatahtbeh criticized Adidas's response, arguing it conflated Palestinian identity with terrorism. Hadid, whose father is of Palestinian descent, has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights and has previously condemned Israeli officials for their policies. As the situation unfolds, reports indicate that Hadid is consulting with legal advisors regarding her options following the controversy and Adidas's subsequent apology.