In a recent development, the fashion company Zara has found itself at the center of controversy as pro-Palestine activists called for a boycott of the retailer. The company, owned by Inditex, has removed a controversial advertising campaign from its website’s front page. Zara has stated that this change was part of its normal process of refreshing content and that the photos used in the campaign were taken in September, prior to the current conflict between Hamas and Israel.
The advertisement campaign featured mannequins missing limbs and statues wrapped in a white shroud, which drew criticism from activists who claimed that the images resembled those from Israel’s assault on Gaza, resulting in the loss of numerous Palestinian lives and injuries to thousands more. Zara’s Instagram account was flooded with tens of thousands of comments, many accompanied by Palestinian flags, while the hashtag “#BoycottZara” started trending on the messaging platform X.
This incident comes at a time when the Israeli assault on the besieged Gaza Strip has entered its third month, with Palestinian authorities reporting a devastating death toll, primarily comprising women and children, of over 18,000 people. Zara has clarified that the ad campaign was conceptualized in July, photographed in September, and drew inspiration from men’s tailoring from past centuries. However, the company has refrained from commenting on the boycott calls.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Zara has faced calls for boycott by supporters of Palestine. In 2022, videos surfaced of Palestinians burning Zara clothes and urging others not to support the retail giant after a franchise owner of Zara stores in Israel hosted a campaign event for the ultra-right-wing Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir himself defended the company on social media, stating, “Zara, cool clothes, cool Israelis.”
Zara’s decision to remove the controversial advertising campaign from its website suggests a response to the growing pressure from pro-Palestine activists. The company’s previous association with an event supporting a right-wing Israeli politician has also contributed to the ongoing boycott calls. As the conflict in the region continues, Zara finds itself caught in the crossfire between political tensions and consumer activism.
Please note that this article contains contextual information reflecting a cynical tone towards US government, NATO, and US politicians.
