Model shocked

Hadid: Didn’t know about historical connection

Bella Hadid on the controversial Adidas campaign: "I'm upset."(Bild: APA/AFP/LOIC VENANCE)

Model Bella Hadid has expressed her own shock at the controversial advertising campaign with sporting goods manufacturer Adidas. 

Adidas wanted to use her to re-promote a running shoe that had been designed for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. At that time, Palestinian terrorists murdered eleven Israeli athletes and officials.

"Shocked, dismayed, disappointed"
"I'm shocked, I'm dismayed and I'm disappointed at the insensitivity that went into this campaign," read a story on the 27-year-old's Instagram profile. The Israeli government had taken offense at Hadid being chosen as the face of the campaign. Hadid's father is Palestinian. Israel accuses the model of making anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic statements.

Bella Hadid issued a statement on Instagram about the scandal surrounding the controversial Adidas advertisement featuring her as a testimonial.(Bild: Instagram/Bella Hadid)

"Should have done more research"
Following the criticism, Adidas had announced that it would change the campaign. Hadid has now commented: "Before the campaign was published, I had no knowledge of the historical connection to the horrific events of 1972." Her team and Adidas should have known, she herself should have done more research, Hadid continued.

Had she been made aware of this, she would not have taken part in the campaign. Hadid also commented on anti-Semitism: "I don't believe in hate in any form, including anti-Semitism."