Adidas Drops Bella Hadid After Israeli Criticism

Adidas has removed American model Bella Hadid from its advertising campaign following criticism from Israel.

Hadid, whose Palestinian heritage has fueled her outspoken advocacy for Palestinian rights, faced backlash after condemning Israeli actions in Gaza.

Hadid, who has publicly criticized the Israeli government and supported Palestinian relief efforts, was featured in Adidas' campaign for its re-released SL72 sneakers.

This line, originally launched during the 1972 Munich Olympics—a tragic event involving the murder of Israeli athletes by the Palestinian group Black September—was linked to Hadid's controversial stance, sparking Israeli condemnation.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized Hadid's inclusion, accusing her of promoting anti-Semitism.

In response, Adidas announced it would revise the campaign, citing unintentional connections to historical events. The company expressed regret for any distress caused, but did not elaborate further.

Hadid's removal has generated significant social media debate. Conservative commentator Candace Owens labeled the decision as “gross,” while others defended Hadid’s right to oppose what she views as injustices without being labeled anti-Semitic. Calls for a boycott of Adidas have also emerged.

This decision echoes a previous move by Adidas in 2022 when the company ended its partnership with rapper Kanye West over anti-Semitic remarks.