Bella Hadid has responded publicly after facing backlash from pro-Israel groups which led to Adidas severing ties with her.
The issue arose when Hadid was featured in an Adidas campaign that referenced the 1972 Munich Olympics but omitted mention of the 11 Israeli athletes killed by Black September militants during the event.
Hadid, who wore shoes modeled after Adidas’ SL72 sneakers from the 1972 Games, took to Instagram to clarify her stance.
She asserted that she was unaware of the tragic history associated with the Munich Olympics when she agreed to the campaign and expressed regret over the campaign’s insensitivity.
In her statement, Hadid said, “I want to address the recent controversy surrounding my Adidas campaign directly. I had no knowledge of the tragic events tied to the 1972 Olympics when I participated. I am deeply shocked and distressed by the lack of awareness and sensitivity in the campaign.”
Hadid noted that she would have declined participation if she had been aware of the tragic connection. She criticized the oversight by herself, her team, and Adidas and reiterated her commitment to standing against injustice.
Addressing concerns about antisemitism, Hadid stated, “I firmly oppose all forms of hate, including antisemitism. My stance is unwavering. Linking the cause of Palestinian liberation to terrorism misrepresents the Palestinian people. I am proud of my Palestinian heritage and emphasize that it encompasses much more than recent negative connotations.”
She continued, “I remain dedicated to supporting my Palestinian community while advocating for a world free from antisemitism. There is no place for hatred in the pursuit of peace. I will continue to stand for peace and justice for everyone.”
Following the backlash, the American Jewish Committee criticized the campaign as either a serious oversight or deliberately provocative. In response, Adidas removed the campaign images and issued an apology in mid-July, stating that the connection to tragic historical events was not intentional. Despite this, calls for a boycott by pro-Palestine groups continued.
Adidas has since apologized to Hadid and other collaborators involved, acknowledging their error and expressing regret over the unintended negative impact.
