Nadine Osman
M&S has apologised after being accused of posting an Instagram photo of Christmas party hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag on fire.
An outtake from the retailer’s television ads showed red, green, and silver hats burning in a fireplace. M&S said the intent was to “playfully show that some people don’t enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats.”
According to the company, the advertisement was filmed in August, before the latest Israel-Gaza conflict began.It said the hats were “traditional, festive coloured red, green, and silver Christmas paper hats”.
“We have removed the post following feedback, and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused,” said M&S in a statement released on November 1.
The photo was an outtake from the company’s Christmas clothing and home advertisement, which is based on the premise that people should do away with Christmas traditions they no longer love.
Several social media users noted a similarity between the hats and the Palestinian flag, with one user calling it “distasteful”.
The company has also been defended by other social media users who said the hats are in traditional Christmas colours.
The Advertising Standards Authority, which regulates advertising in the UK, says it has received 40 complaints about the Instagram post.
The regulator says it is reviewing the complaints to determine whether further action is needed but is not currently investigating the advertisement. On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking at least 239 hostages.
More than 19,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children have been killed by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
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