Model Bella Hadid has become embroiled in controversy after her involvement in an Adidas advertising campaign inspired by the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, when Palestinian terrorists took Israeli athletes hostage and brutally murdered them.
Model Bella Hadid has sparked uproar over her involvement in an Adidas advertising campaign inspired by the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany. The campaign featured Hadid promoting the SL72 line of shoes, which were inspired by the Games held that year.
However, the inclusion of Hadid, a known critic of Israel, as the face of the campaign drew swift backlash from the State of Israel and Jewish organizations, who objected to the choice given the terror attack that occurred during those games.
Bella Hadid's Adidas Campaign Sparks Outrage over 1972 Munich Olympics Terror Attack
In 1972, Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group took Israeli athletes hostage at the Olympic Village and killed 11 of them in a brutal attack that shocked the world. The gruesome details of the torture and murder of the athletes were not fully revealed until 2015, adding to the outrage over the campaign's insensitivity.
Adidas apologized and removed Hadid from the campaign, acknowledging that the connection to the terror attack was "completely unintentional" and "distressing." Hadid also issued an apology, saying she was "shocked" and "disappointed" by the lack of sensitivity in choosing her for the campaign.
Bella Hadid's Adidas Campaign Sparks Outrage over 1972 Munich Olympics Terror Attack
Hadid stated that she would not have participated if she had been aware of the historical connection to the attack, which she called "atrocious." She added that her team and Adidas should have done more research to avoid such an oversight.
The controversy has highlighted the ongoing debate over the role of celebrities in representing historical events and their responsibility to be aware of the context and potential impact of their actions.
Bella Hadid's Adidas Campaign Sparks Outrage over 1972 Munich Olympics Terror Attack
Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir famously responded to the terror attack with a covert Mossad revenge operation called "Wrath of God," which hunted down and assassinated those believed to be involved in planning or executing the Munich attack.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the "Boycott, Divest, Sanction" (BDS) movement, which calls for boycotts of Israel and its products. Hadid has been a vocal supporter of Palestine and has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The controversy over the Adidas campaign has raised questions about the intersection of politics and marketing, and the potential for corporations to inadvertently align themselves with sensitive and controversial issues.
As companies strive to navigate the increasingly polarized political landscape, they face the challenge of balancing their commercial interests with their social responsibilities and the potential for backlash from consumers who may have strong opinions on the issues involved.
