Dior faces backlash for replacing Bella Hadid with Israeli model in latest advertising campaign

PARIS, FRANCE: French luxury fashion house Dior is under fire for its decision to replace Palestinian-American supermodel Bella Hadid with Israeli model May Tager in their latest advertising campaign. The move has sparked controversy, drawing strong reactions from the public and social media.

Bella Hadid, known for her Palestinian-American heritage, has been an outspoken advocate for the Palestinian cause, frequently using her platform to address issues related to Palestine. Given her stance, Dior’s choice to replace her with Israeli model May Tager has ignited a wave of criticism on social media, with many users launching the #BoycottDior hashtag campaign.

Bella Hadid follows in her younger sibling’s footsteps by donating her fashion week earnings to Ukraine and Palestine. (Photo: Instagram.com/@bellahadid)

As of now, neither Dior nor Bella Hadid has issued a formal statement regarding this development. The lack of clarification from both parties has only fueled the ongoing debate surrounding this controversial decision.

Reports from Israeli media outlet Al Bawaba have indicated that Dior’s decision to terminate its contract with Bella Hadid in favour of May Tager is indeed accurate. The prestigious fashion brand’s choice to feature an Israeli model in their campaign amid global companies withdrawing support from Israel has raised eyebrows.

Al Bawaba suggests that this move signifies Dior’s support for Israel, which has further fueled the calls for a Dior boycott from the public.

The situation has not only affected Dior but has also had repercussions for the model May Tager. Her Instagram comments, @maytager, have been flooded with Palestinian flags, watermelon emojis, and statements such as “You can’t replace Bella Hadid.”

Some have even accused her of being a pawn in this controversy, with some comments mentioning Bella Hadid’s name as an attempt to undermine her.

(Photo: Instagram.com/@maytager)

Bella Hadid, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and a critic of Israeli policies, has been the face of Dior Beauty since 2016. However, in a promotional video for the new La Collection Privee fragrance from their holiday collection, May Tager takes a prominent role, signifying her new position as the campaign’s leader.

While Dior has not officially addressed this change, the move has raised questions about the brand’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Bella Hadid’s outspoken support for Palestine, including her condemnation of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, has made her a prominent figure in the debate.

Bella Hadid has repeatedly used her voice and platform to support Palestine and criticize Israel’s actions. Despite drawing both support and criticism from people around the world, her courage in taking a stand on this issue has not gone unnoticed.

Isabella Khair Hadid, known as Bella Hadid, was born on October 9, 1996, and is an American model. She is the second child of Mohamed Hadid and Yolanda Hadid. Bella Hadid holds American citizenship and has Palestinian, American, and Dutch heritage. She spent her childhood in Santa Barbara, California, in the United States, until the age of 10.

From the age of three, Bella Hadid participated in horse-riding competitions. She began her modelling career at the age of 16 with Flynn Skye. She has continued to advance in her career, taking on significant projects. In 2014, Bella Hadid joined IMG Models, marking her debut as a professional model.

One of her most significant career milestones was her appearance at the New York Fashion Week for Desigual. Bella Hadid has consistently participated in prominent fashion shows, including the 22nd amfAR Gala and Tom Ford’s event in Los Angeles.

Her career skyrocketed when she began representing renowned brands such as Chanel, Versace, Dior, Fendi, and Givenchy. In 2016, Bella Hadid was honoured with the Model of the Year award at the Models.com Industry Awards, and her success continued in 2017.

The controversy surrounding Dior’s decision continues to gain momentum, and it remains to be seen if the fashion brand will issue an official statement or address the concerns raised by the public.

For now, the public’s reactions to this development reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of public figures in advocating for their beliefs.