Bella Hadid apologizes for ad campaign linked to deadly 1972 Munich Olympics

Supermodel Bella Hadid apologized for participating in an Adidas ad campaign that featured a shoe released during the 1972 Munich Olympics, an event targeted by Palestinian attackers. Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, stated she was unaware of the shoe's history and found the campaign insensitive. Adidas revised the campaign and apologized, acknowledging an unintentional mistake. The controversy highlights the heightened rhetoric surrounding the Middle East conflict, with companies like Starbucks and McDonald's also facing criticism. Hadid expressed support for the Palestinian people while condemning antisemitism. She has been outspoken about Palestinian rights, wearing a kaffiyeh dress at Cannes and attending pro-Palestinian protests. Israel has criticized Hadid's pro-Palestinian statements in the past. The 1972 Munich attack involved Palestinian militants killing 11 Israelis and a German police officer. Hadid's sister, Gigi, has also been criticized by Israel for her pro-Palestinian views. The controversy underscores the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges for brands navigating its sensitivities.