According to Turkish news site Yeni Safak, Israeli model May Tager has apparently replaced longtime brand ambassador Bella Hadid, who was well-known for her pro-Palestine position, in Christian Dior’s most recent advertising campaign.
A social media boycott of the company has been called after the switch was revealed by the Israeli blog Fashion Forward. Bella and Dior have not provided any comments regarding this supposed replacement, thus there is some doubt over the veracity of the rumors.
Using the hashtag #BoycottDior, social media users are expressing their displeasure while bringing attention to May’s Instagram postings from last week, which prominently highlight the model in Dior’s new Christmas campaign. Bella has already admitted that she lost out on numerous fashion jobs as a result of her pro-Palestine stance. The supermodel is still using her internet platform to spread the word about Israeli atrocities in Palestine, in spite of the latest rumors.
The fashion icon questioned, “What is the point of international law anymore if [it will not be] abided by?” in an Instagram Story on Wednesday. These days, the Israelis and the IDF can get away with anything. Bella added, “Children, babies, families, human beings [are] being burned and suffocated alive,” next to a video that showed white phosphorus bombs hitting Palestinians in Gaza. “Now, what’s the excuse?” she asked. Anyone who attempts to defend such behavior is a shame to humanity.
As Dior’s brand ambassador since 2016, Bella, who is of Palestinian origin, has utilized her famous status to promote Palestinian causes. After the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent military activities in Gaza, the supermodel faced criticism for her silence for several weeks, even though her sister Gigi Hadid publicly condemned Israel.
Bella wrote a lengthy message on Instagram expressing her solidarity for Palestine and asking for pardon for her lack of response. She also verified rumors that, following the Hadids’ phone number breach, she had been receiving “daily” death threats. The half-Palestinian celebrity said, “It is not an option to be afraid,” adding that her family was afraid for their safety as a result of these incidents.
Dior has previously been under pressure to stop working with Bella. Since she began speaking out for Palestine earlier in 2021, rumors circulated that the fashion brand was cutting its connections to her. The 27-year-old denounced Israeli aggression, apartheid, settler colonialism, terrorism, and genocide as he marched with thousands of other supporters of Palestine.
Soon after, a few claimed that because the supermodel denounced Israel’s abuses, she was missing out on important Dior negotiations. There have even been rumors that Dior severed her relationship with the model because of her support for Palestine.
But when fashion critic Diet Prada clarified why the company’s relationship with Bella is still in place, the rumors were put to rest. “Multiple sources within LVMH have confirmed that the French luxury brand is standing with supermodel Bella Hadid, who has been the face of Dior Beauty since 2016,” the notorious Facebook post stated.
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