Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LSE:MKS) pulled a Christmas advert post just a day after launching its festive campaign, after viewers criticised its Instagram photo, claiming it was anti-Palestinian.
An Instagram post of an outtake from one of its TV ads, showing red, silver, and green party hats burning in a fireplace, was posted to the retailer’s page on Wednesday.
The post Source: X.com
Some have criticised the retailer as the colours of the party hats are the same as the Palestinian flag.
London-listed M&S defended the post and claimed the purpose was to “playfully show that some people don't enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats,” adding that the advert was filmed in August before the Israel-Gaza conflict erupted.
Despite pointing out the hats were "traditional, festive coloured”, the Paddington-based group pulled the post and tweeted/X-ed a statement apologising “for any unintentional hurt caused”.
A statement from M&S: pic.twitter.com/3tzJKdZbYW
— M&S (@marksandspencer) November 1, 2023
While some have described the photo as “distasteful,” others have defended the retail group, arguing the company used the traditional Christmas colours and that any link to Palestine was purely coincidental.
Tan France, presenter on Queer Eye and a star of the Christmas advert, defended the photo via a post on Instagram, where he said: "The ad was shot in August, so maybe you're reaching with your ridiculous comments."
Shares in M&S are up more than 1.5% on Thursday, having opened at around 223p.