BERLIN (AP) — Adidas said Friday it is “revising” its campaign for running shoes inspired by a design dating back to 1972. Olympic Games Munichwhich drew criticism from Israel over the involvement of supermodel Bella Hadid.
The German-based sportswear company is advertising the SL72 shoes, which it describes as a “timeless classic.” The official Israeli account on social media network X on Thursday took issue with Hadid as “the face of its campaign” in a post that noted that “eleven Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics.”
Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, has repeatedly made public comments criticizing the Israeli government and supporting Palestinians over the years. After the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out, posted a statement on Instagram on October 23mourning the loss of innocent lives and calling on supporters to pressure their leaders to protect civilians in Gaza.
Adidas said in an emailed statement that the campaign for the SL72 shoe “unites a broad range of partners.”
“We are aware that connections have been made to tragic historical events — although these are entirely unintentional — and we apologise for any upset or distress caused,” the report said. “As a result, we are reviewing the remainder of the campaign.”
It was not specified what changes would be made.
Members of the Palestinian group Black September entered the Olympic Village on September 5, 1972, killing two athletes from the Israeli national team and taking nine hostages. The attackers hoped to force the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as well as two left-wing extremists in West German prisons.
All nine hostages and a West German police officer were killed during a rescue attempt by German forces.
