Adidas has terminated its collaboration with model Bella Hadid due to her public support for Palestine, leading to a controversial decision that has sparked legal actions from the model.
The conflict originated when Adidas selected Bella Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, to promote its new SL72 sneakers, a design inspired by the Munich Olympics.
Israel’s official account objected, highlighting the historical context of the Munich Olympics, where Palestinian terrorists tragically killed 11 Israeli athletes. This led to criticism of Hadid, known for her criticism of the Israeli government and her support for Palestine.
The Incident that Intensified the Dispute
Hadid has been vocal about her views, especially in a statement she made last October 23 concerning an attack in Gaza, emphasizing the dire humanitarian needs in the area. However, Adidas decided to sever ties with Hadid, stating, “We are aware that connections have been made to tragic historical events—albeit completely unintentional—and we apologize for any upset or distress caused. We are reviewing the campaign.”
Legal Battle Ahead
In response, Bella Hadid is preparing to initiate legal action against Adidas. She has engaged lawyers to address Adidas’s lack of public responsibility. According to TMZ, Hadid views the campaign as cruel and harmful to her reputation.