Zara Issues An Apology Regarding Advert Linked To The Gaza Conflict

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According to the BBC, Zara has conveyed “regret” regarding a “misunderstanding” concerning an advertising campaign criticized for employing photographs resembling images from the Israel-Gaza conflict. 

Zara Issues An Apology Regarding Advert Linked To The Gaza Conflict. The remaining images have been removed after days of social media backlash and complaints from the advertising watchdog in the United Kingdom. One of the images depicted a model cradling a white plastic-wrapped mannequin.

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Customers observed “something far from what was intended when they were created,” according to Zara. Tens of thousands of Instagram users complained about the campaign, stating that the images resembled photographs of carcasses in white shrouds in Gaza. “#BoycottZara” was a trending topic on the messaging application X.

The advertising campaign for Zara’s Atelier label was “conceived in July and photographed in September,” according to the brand.

“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 stated in a post on Instagram.

It added that the images were “solely to showcase handcrafted garments in an artistic context.”

“Zara regrets that misunderstanding, and we reaffirm our deep respect towards everyone,” indicated Zara.

Palestine was the target of a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, which claimed 1,200 lives. The BBC reported that Israel’s retaliatory attacks on Gaza have claimed the lives of 18,200 individuals. 

Reuters reported that on Monday, a gathering of demonstrators formed in front of a Zara store in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia while brandishing a Palestinian flag and chanting.

Most of the retail establishment’s showcase windows were marred with crimson paint.

The Advertising Standards Authority of the United Kingdom reported receiving 110 complaints regarding the Zara campaign, alleging that the imagery offensively referenced the Gaza Strip conflict. The ASA issued the following statement: “We will not be taking any further action as Zara has removed the advertisement.”

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Zara’s Instagram page removed six posts featuring the “Atelier” campaign, and the parent company, Inditex (ITX.MC), confirmed that the images were removed from all platforms. On Monday, Zara had already removed the photoshoot from the homepages of its website and app.

With six jackets, the “Atelier” collection is one of the most expensive in Zara’s inventory, ranging in price from $799 for an embellished leather jacket to $229 for a grey wool blazer featuring bulky knit sleeves. Jackets were available for purchase on Zara’s website.