Zara pulls advert after 'misunderstanding' amid complaints it 'referenced Israel-Hamas conflict'
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) confirmed on Monday it received 50 complaints about the campaign
By Rachel Dixon, Multimedia Producer
Zara has pulled an advert for a leather jacket following claims it had made reference to the conflict in the Middle East.
In the now deleted post, the retailer shared pictures of a model surrounded by rubble, wearing a black studded leather jacket on Instagram.
She was carrying what appeared to be a mannequin wrapped in a white bag.
People on social media drew parallels to the scenes in the Gaza Strip where 18,000 Palestinians have died since fighting began between Israel and Hamas on October 7.
Zara told ITV News on Tuesday: “Unfortunately, some customers felt offended by these images, which have now been removed, and saw in them something far from what was intended when they were created.
“Zara regrets that misunderstanding and we reaffirm our deep respect towards everyone.”
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) confirmed on Monday it received 50 complaints about the campaign.
"Complainants argued the imagery references the current Israel-Hamas conflict and is offensive," the body told ITV News.
A spokesperson said: "We're reviewing these complaints (to emphasise, we are not currently investigating this ad) and as such we can't comment any further at this time."
Zara told ITV News the campaign, entitled "The Jacket”, was created in July and shot in September.
The series of images showed unfinished sculptures in a sculptor's studio and was created "with the sole purpose of showcasing craft-made garments in an artistic context," Zara told ITV News.
The hashtag #BoycottZara has been trending on social media and images of branches of the clothing store with 'Free Palestine' sprayed in red across the display window have also emerged online.
Last month, Marks & Spencer apologised following accusations that an outtake from its star-studded Christmas advert showing burning coloured paper hats resembled the Palestinian flag.
M&S said in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, in early November: "Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August.
"It showed traditional, festive coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate.
"While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don't enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats over the festive season, we have removed the post following feedback and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused."
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