Adidas Revises Bella Hadid Campaign After Backlash from Israel

Adidas has decided to withdraw images of model Bella Hadid from its advertising campaign for the SL72 trainers, originally launched to commemorate the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The move follows backlash from the Israeli government, which criticized Hadid's involvement due to her outspoken support for Palestinian rights and her previous comments deemed antisemitic. The Israeli government highlighted the historical context of the Munich Olympics, where eleven Israeli athletes were taken hostage and killed by Palestinian terrorists. In a statement, Adidas acknowledged the unintended connections to tragic historical events and expressed regret for any distress caused. The company emphasized that the SL72 campaign aims to unite a diverse range of partners and did not specify what changes would be made to the campaign moving forward. Other brand ambassadors, including French footballer Jules Koundé and rapper A$AP Nast, remain featured in the campaign. Hadid has a history of vocal criticism against the Israeli government, recently expressing sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in Gaza and calling for action to protect civilians. Her comments have drawn scrutiny, with the Israeli government accusing her of promoting antisemitic rhetoric. This incident is not the first time Adidas has severed ties with a celebrity over allegations of antisemitism, as seen in their previous partnership termination with rapper Kanye West. The controversy surrounding Hadid's involvement in the campaign underscores the ongoing tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges brands face in navigating these sensitive issues.