Marks & Spencer has apologised after an outtake from its newly launched Christmas advert was criticised for exhibiting burning paper hats resembling the Palestinian flag.
The British retailer had shared a picture from its Christmas clothes and residential advert on Instagram depicting crimson, silver and inexperienced paper hats tossed right into a burning hearth.
It was accompanied with the caption: “This Christmas, do what you love… like saying no to paper hats” with the hashtag #LoveThismasNotThatmas – the grocery store’s slogan for this festive season.
It gave the impression to be encouraging folks to deal with having fun with themselves moderately than to adapt to festive traditions they really don’t love – the theme of its Christmas advert.
However, some social media customers instructed the hats’ colors mirrored these of the Palestinian flag amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict within the Middle East.
The battle ignited on 7 October after a lethal assault by Hamas on Israel, which has responded with ongoing army motion.
More than 1,400 Israelis have died and eight,700 Palestinians since Hamas’s multi-pronged shock assault final month.
M&S deleted the Instagram put up, posting a press release on X (previously Twitter) saying: “Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas clothing and home advert, which was recorded in August.
“It confirmed conventional, festive colored crimson, inexperienced and silver Christmas paper occasion hats in a hearth 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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M&S is among the first supermarkets to launch its seasonal advert which comprises the underlying message of ditching undesirable Christmas chores and changing them with enjoyment.
The advert options frivolous scenes of blowtorching Christmas playing cards, whacking a toy elf with a baseball bat and shredding silver hats.
It stars some well-known names together with singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Marvel actress Zawe Ashton and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.
Source: information.sky.com”