Bella Hadid Responds to Adidas Campaign Controversy: “Antisemitism Has No Place in the Liberation of the Palestinian People”

As a passionate fan of Bella Hadid‘s work, I strongly believe that her involvement in the Adidas campaign was unintentional and a result of a lack of proper research and understanding of the historical context. Bella’s statement on Instagram shows her genuine remorse and disappointment over the situation, and her commitment to standing against hate and discrimination in all forms.

On Monday, Bella Hadid addressed the uproar over her participation in Adidas’ latest campaign showcasing Munich Games-inspired sneakers.

1. The “SL 72” running shoe advertising, launched this month, fell on the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Games, where a tragic event took place with the loss of 11 Israeli coaches and athletes at the hands of Palestinian terrorists. Despite the campaign and shoes themselves not referencing the incident, the American Jewish Committee, an organization that supports Israel, criticized Gigi Hadid’s involvement in the campaign due to her advocacy for aid to Palestinians in Gaza amidst the conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military forces.

1. “It’s questionable whether Adidas knowingly chose an outspoken critic of Israel as their spokesperson for the commemoration of this troubled Olympics, suggesting either a serious oversight or deliberate provocation. In either case, it’s unacceptable,” the AJC stated in their declaration.

1. “On a long Instagram post shared on Monday, Hadid expressed that she wouldn’t intentionally collaborate with any art or project associated with any heinous tragedy. Prior to the launch of the campaign, she was unaware of its historical ties to the distressing events of 1972. Upon learning about it, she feels shocked, saddened, and frustrated by the insensitivity shown during the production process. If she had been informed beforehand, from deep within her heart, she would have declined participation.”

As a passionate admirer, I’d express it like this: “If only I could turn back the pages of time, I would have delved deeper into the history before collaborating. Had I known about the heart-wrenching past, I would have raised my voice to ensure that justice was upheld.”

She went on saying, “Just as I have done and always will, I voice my opinions about what I perceive as wrong.” Although everyone aimed for something positive and wanted to unite people through art, a common lack of comprehension among all parties disrupted the process. I am firmly against any form of hate, such as antisemitism, and this belief remains unwavering. I wholeheartedly stand by my stance on this matter.

Hadid criticized linking “the freedom of Palestinians” to acts of anti-Semitism, stating that “Palestine doesn’t equate to terrorism,” and this campaign inadvertently showcased an incident that doesn’t reflect our values.

1. “As a Palestinian woman, I take great pride in my heritage, and I feel it’s essential to clarify that our culture encompasses far more than the recent portrayals suggest. I am steadfast in my support for the Palestinian people while working tirelessly to promote a world devoid of antisemitism. It’s crucial to remember that antisemitism has no role in the pursuit of Palestinian liberation. Above all, I advocate for peace over violence and condemn any form of hate. In this space, I will continue to champion not just my people, but every individual around the globe.”

After facing criticism, Adidas acknowledged that some connections to tragic historical events were unintentionally made in their Munich Games retro running shoe campaign. We’re sorry for any distress or upset caused and are taking steps to revise the remainder of the campaign. As avid supporters of sports as a unifying force globally, we remain committed to promoting diversity and equality in all our actions.

2024-07-30 02:54

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