Palestinian-American model Isabella “Bella” Hadid has issued an apology following her participation in an Adidas shoe advertisement campaign.
Bella, known for her strong support of Palestine, emphasized that she stands against anti-Semitism and advocates for the freedom of Palestine without hatred.
Adidas recently re-introduced the SL72 sneakers, originally presented at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The sportswear giant featured Bella Hadid in their ad campaign, but faced backlash from pro-Israel groups. In response, Adidas removed Bella from the campaign and issued a public apology.
Following the criticism, Bella took to Instagram to express her dismay and clarify her stance. “I can never be associated with any work that is connected with any kind of horrific tragedy,” she said, referring to the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics where 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer were killed by the ‘Black September’ group.
Bella explained that she was unaware of the historical context of the events when she joined the campaign. “I am shocked, dismayed, and disappointed at the lack of sensitivity involved in this campaign. If I had known, I would never have been a part of it,” she stated.
Standing with Palestine
In her Instagram story, Bella reiterated her commitment to supporting Palestine and condemning any form of anti-Semitism. “I have always raised my voice and will continue to raise my voice for what I think is wrong. Everyone’s intention was positive, to bring people together through art. However, this problem arose due to the misunderstanding of all the people associated with it,” she wrote.
Bella condemned the association between the Palestinian liberation movement and anti-Semitic attacks. “Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism, and the campaign inadvertently highlighted an incident that doesn’t represent who we are,” she said.
Expressing pride in her heritage, Bella added, “I am a proud Palestinian woman, and our culture is far beyond what has been shown in the past week. I will always stand with my people in Palestine and advocate for a world free of anti-Semitism. There is no room for anti-Semitism in the way of the freedom of the Palestinian people.”
Bella concluded her message with a call for peace and unity. “I will always stand for peace against violence, there is no place for hate, and I will forever advocate not only for my people but for everyone around the world.”
Public Reaction
Many social media users have criticized Adidas for bowing to political pressure and penalizing Bella for a situation beyond her control. Bella and her sister Gigi Hadid, daughters of Palestinian-American property tycoon Mohamed Anwar Hadid, continue to be vocal advocates for those affected by the ongoing conflict in Palestine.