Adidas Apologizes to Bella Hadid Over Controversial Campaign

Adidas has issued an apology to supermodel Bella Hadid following her removal from a campaign linked to the 1972 Munich Olympics, where Israeli athletes were tragically killed by pro-Palestinian terrorists. The decision to pull Hadid's advertisements came after pro-Israel groups criticized the campaign as "sick" and offensive, prompting backlash against the brand. Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, has been vocal in her opposition to Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. In response to the controversy, Adidas acknowledged the unintended connections made to the historical tragedy and expressed regret for any distress caused to communities worldwide. The company took to its Adidas Originals Instagram account to clarify that the associations were not intentional and to apologize to Hadid and other collaborators, including ASAP Nast and Jules Koundé. The brand is now revising the campaign to address the concerns raised. The backlash was fueled by statements from organizations such as the American Jewish Committee, which criticized the choice of Hadid as a spokesperson, labeling it either a significant oversight or a deliberate provocation. The Combat Antisemitism Movement's CEO also condemned the campaign, highlighting the insensitivity of using Hadid to promote a product commemorating an event marked by violence against Jewish individuals. Following the removal of the advertisements, Adidas reiterated its commitment to being sensitive to historical events and the impact of its marketing choices, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful approach moving forward.