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Model Bella Hadid has responded to criticism for starring in an Adidas ad campaign that sparked controversy over its “inadvertent” link to the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attacks.
The 27-year-old said she was “disappointed by the lack of sensitivity of the campaign” as it relates to the Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes and a West German policeman were killed in an attack by the Palestinian group Black September.
Hadid, who is of Dutch and Palestinian descent, has spoken out in support of the Palestinian people during the Gaza conflict.
“I would never knowingly engage with any art or work that relates to a terrible tragedy,” Hadid said in a statement shared on Instagram.
“Before publishing the campaign, I was unaware of its historical connection to the 1972 tragedy.”
She continued: “I am shocked, disturbed and disappointed by the lack of sensitivity shown at this event. If I had known in advance, from the bottom of my heart, I would never have attended.”
“My team should have known, Adidas should have known, and I should have done more research so that I could know, understand, and speak out.”
In a campaign released earlier this month, Hadid held a bouquet of flowers to celebrate the re-launch of the adidas SL 72 sneaker, a road running trainer that debuted in 1972, the year of the Munich Olympics.
Adidas Originals previously said in a statement shared on Instagram that the incident was “unintentionally” related to the 1972 attack and the company apologized for “any upset or pain caused to communities around the world.”
The statement said: “We made an unintentional error” and confirmed that it was “modifying the event”.
Hadid said: “While everyone’s intention was to do something positive and bring people together through art, a lack of collective understanding on all sides undermined the process.
“I do not believe in hatred of any kind, including anti-Semitism. That will never waver and I stand by that statement completely.
“It pains me to associate the liberation of the Palestinian people with such a tragic attack.
“Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism, and this event inadvertently highlights an event that does not represent our identity.”
Hadid calls herself a “proud Palestinian woman”.
She continued: “I will always support the Palestinian people and continue to advocate for a world free of anti-Semitism.”
“Anti-Semitism has no place in the liberation process of the Palestinian people.
“I will always stand for peace and oppose violence. Hatred has no place here and I will always defend my people and everyone in the world.” — PA Media/dpa
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