British retail giant Marks & Spencer has issued an apology after sharing a picture from its Christmas advert on Instagram, featuring red and green paper hats in a fireplace that some viewers compared to the Palestinian flag.
The company, an iconic name in British business, expressed regret for any unintended offense caused by the image.
Marks & Spencer, with its origins dating back to 1884 when Jewish immigrant Michael Marks arrived in northern England, faced criticism on social media, with some suggesting that the post carried a political statement.
Following the controversy, the retailer removed the Instagram post and issued a statement on Twitter, explaining the context: «Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas clothing and home advert, which was recorded in August, before the conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas.»
The image portrayed traditional Christmas paper party hats in festive red, green, and silver colors placed in a fireplace, intended to humorously depict individuals who dislike wearing paper Christmas hats during the holiday season.
The post was removed in response to feedback, and Marks & Spencer offered an apology for any unintentional offense it may have caused.
Global companies have been cautious about becoming entangled in conflicts like the one between Israel and Hamas, given the potential for inflaming religious tensions. This sensitivity has led to actions such as McDonald’s franchises in some Muslim countries distancing themselves from an initiative by the company’s Israeli restaurants to provide free meals to the Israeli military.