- M&S apologizes for flag resemblance.
- Social media speculation stirs controversy.
- Ad promotes Christmas enjoyment.
The store apologised after criticism that an outtake from their star-studded Christmas ad showed burning paper hats resembling the Palestinian flag.
Following criticism of an outtake from its recently released Christmas advertisement that depicted smouldering paper hats resembling the Palestinian flag, Marks & Spencer has issued an apology.
The British retailer had posted an Instagram image from its Christmas apparel and home advertisement that portrayed paper headwear in shades of red, silver, and green being thrown into a blazing fireplace.
The image was accompanied by the following caption: “Do what you love this Christmas… say no to paper hats.” The hashtag #LoveThismasNotThatmas was utilised to reference the supermarket’s slogan for the holiday season.
The company’s Christmas advertisement seemed to promote the notion that individuals should prioritise their enjoyment of the season rather than adhering to unnecessary festive customs.
Social Media Speculation
Notwithstanding this, certain individuals on social media speculated that the hues of the headwear mirrored those of the Palestinian flag in the midst of the intensifying Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East.
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On October 7, a lethal attack by Hamas against Israel sparked the conflict; Israel has since retaliated with continuous military operations.
Israel has stated that Hamas’s multifaceted surprise attack on Israel last month claimed the lives of over 1,400 Israelis. Since then, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has reported that Israeli Defence Forces have fired upon Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 9,000 Palestinians.
“We regret any inadvertent distress caused.”
M&S removed the Instagram post and issued the following statement on X (previously Twitter): “Today, we released an outtake image from our August-filmed Christmas apparel and home advertisement.
“It depicted Christmas paper party hats in traditional, festive hues of red, green, and silver displayed in a fire grate.”
Although we originally intended to lightheartedly illustrate that certain individuals simply dislike donning paper Christmas headwear during the holiday season, we removed the post in response to feedback. We apologize for causing any inadvertent offense.
The Christmas Advertisement
M&S is among the initial supermarkets to unveil its seasonal advertisement, which conveys the implicit suggestion of substituting pleasurable activities for unwelcome Christmas responsibilities.
The advertisement features ridiculous anecdotes such as torching Christmas cards, hitting a stuffed elf with a baseball club, and destroying silver hats.
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