Clothing giant Zara faces backlash as pro-Palestinian activists accuse it of ‘mocking’ deaths in Gaza with an advertising campaign that features mannequin wrapped in white plastic and surrounded by rubble
Fashion giant Zara is now facing calls for a boycott from pro-Palestinian activists over its latest advertising campaign.
Critics accused the retailer of being insensitive to the deaths in war-torn Gaza after images from a fashion shoot showed mannequins with missing limbs and a model in a wooden box surrounded by rubble.
Other images, which apparently have not been removed from the company’s Instagram page, show supermodel Kirsten McMenamy posing with mannequins wrapped in white fabric and plastic.
Some users said they were similar to photographs taken in the Gaza Strip during the war between Israel and Hamas, which showed corpses wrapped in white shrouds.
The Spanish fashion giant’s campaign quickly sparked a wave of online backlash, with posts calling it “disgraceful”, “disgusting” and “mocking” and the hashtag #BoycottZara trending on X.
Artist Hazem Harb wrote in an Instagram post: “There is a sinister depravity in the commercial mind that created this ad while we live through real-time genocide.”
“The use of death and destruction as a backdrop for fashion goes beyond sinister complicity and should outrage us as consumers. Boycott Zara.”
Fashion giant Zara has come under fire for its new campaign, which features a mannequin wrapped in white plastic and surrounded by debris.
Social media users took to X to criticize the campaign, calling it “disgraceful”, “disgusting” and a “mockery”. The two images were removed from Instagram after they were compared to photographs of corpses in the Gaza Strip.
Shoppers walk past the window of a Zara store on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, Spain today.
Sarah Wilkinson wrote on social media site X: “Boycott Zara after its new clothing collection features debris and bodies mocking the thousands of Palestinians killed by Israelis in the Gaza Strip.”
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin said Zara won the “voiceless brand of the year award”.
One user posted a side-by-side image of Zara’s election campaign and a woman suffering in the conflict between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
One user wrote: “You are disgusting!! I will boycott you forever!! Free Palestine.”
One user posted one of Zara’s campaign photos side by side with an image of a woman suffering in the conflict between Gaza and Israel.
Another wrote: “The most disgusting propaganda campaign ever inspired by the killing of Palestinians and the destruction of their homes. Shame on you.’
In Montreal, Canada, activists painted Zara stores with pro-Palestinian slogans.
Zara described the new line on its Instagram page as: “A limited edition collection from the house that reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression.”
It comes a month after Marks & Spencer’s came under fire for its Christmas advert and was forced to apologise.
Social media users compared the images in the campaign to photographs taken in the Gaza Strip during the recent conflict.
A Palestinian man mourns the body of a relative, wrapped in a shroud with his name, at Najar Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. Social media users said today that the images are similar to those used in a Zara advertising campaign.
Pro-Palestinians said the retailer’s holiday ad, featuring burning paper hats and crackers, is in the colors of the Palestinian flag and insults its people.
One of the stars of the M&S advert, Queer Eye super-stylist Tan France, accused social media users of making “ridiculous comments” as the advert was filmed in August – two months before the war between Israel and Hamas broke out.
A statement released by an M&S spokesperson said: “Today we have shared a clip from our Christmas clothing and home advert, which was recorded in August.
“The mantel featured traditional holiday red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats.
Marks & Spencer was forced to apologize for its light-hearted image of burnt Christmas hats after critics pointed out they were the colors of the Palestinian flag.
M&S has apologized for a scene from its Christmas advert which it says was recorded in August.
“While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don’t like wearing paper Christmas hats during the holiday season, we removed the post following feedback and apologize for any unintentional pain caused.”
Israeli designer Dodo Bar Or also had to remove her clothing lines from Net-a-Porter and My Theresa after she was accused of publishing a video comparing the terrorist group Hamas to ISIS.
The BDS movement, which advocates boycotts, divestments and sanctions, calls on its supporters to put “pressure” on companies perceived to support Israel.
The Instagram post names McDonald’s as one of the chains it is targeting, along with a host of other well-known brands.
Last month, a McDonald’s restaurant in Keighley, West Yorkshire, was attacked by thugs dressed in Palestinian flags, who forced their way inside before releasing the stick insects.
Video of the apparent aftermath shows windows were also broken.
Meanwhile, protesters released mice into three McDonald’s branches in Birmingham, with some of them filmed calling for a “boycott” of the chain.
MailOnline has contacted Zara for comment. They have not yet issued a public response to the criticism.