Bella Hadid apologizes for involvement in Adidas' controversial ad campaign

"I would never knowingly engage with any art or work that is linked to a horrific tragedy of any kind. In advance of the campaign's release, I had no knowledge of the historical connection to the atrocious events in 1972," she began.

Hadid, who is vocal about her support for Palestine in its ongoing conflict with Israel, stressed that she is "shocked, upset, and disappointed" in the "lack of sensitivity that went into this campaign."

"Had I been made aware, from the bottom of my heart, I would never have participated. My team should have known, adidas should have known and I should have done more research so that I too would have known and understood, and spoken up. As I always have, and always will, speak up for what I believe to be wrong," she stated.

At the Munich Olympics in 1972, eight members of the Palestinian militant organization Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village where they killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team. Afterward, nine victims were taken hostage but were later killed after a failed rescue attempt.

Hadid emphasized that it "hurts her heart" at the attempt to connect the liberation of the Palestinian people to an attack so tragic.

"Palestine is not synonymous with terrorism and this campaign unintentionally highlighted an event that does not represent who we are. I am a proud Palestinian woman and there is so much more to our culture than the things that have been equated over the past week," she highlighted.

"I will forever stand by my people of Palestine while continuing to advocate for a world free of antisemitism. Antisemitism has no place in the liberation of the Palestinian people," she added.

She ended her statement by underscoring that she will "always stand for peace over violence, any day."

"Hate has no place here, and I will forever advocate for not only my people, but every person world wide," Hadid stated.

Adidas has since dropped the supermodel from the campaign that was released earlier in July. The sportswear company had chosen Hadid to promote its SL72 trainers, which were first launched to coincide with the 1972 Olympics.

This isn't the first time that Hadid has spoken up about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and her Palestinian heritage. She first addressed it in October last year where she condemned the terrorist attacks on any civilian.

"I've been sent hundreds of death threats daily, my phone number has been leaked, and my family has felt to be in danger. But I cannot be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option," she wrote.

"We must all stand together in defending humanity and compassion—and demanding that our leaders do the same. All religions are peace—it is governments that are corrupt," Hadid emphasized.

The war was brought about due to a centuries-long conflict between the two countries over Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.