Marks & Spencer apologise after backlash for post showing 'Palestinian flag being burnt'
Marks & Spencer has come under fire after a recent Christmas advertisement that allegedly depicted the burning of Palestinian flag colours. The brand has since removed the post and issued an apology, but many pro-Palestine accounts have spread the screengrab far and wide.
In their apology for the now-deleted post, the brand penned, "Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August. It showed traditional, festive coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate."
Continuing further, the statement read, "While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don't enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats over the festive season, we have removed the post following feedback and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused."
This comes after immense backlash on the now-removed post, with many claiming that they knew exactly what the brand was trying to depict. Some have even read further into the advertisement, with a screengrab of a woman with blue and (seemingly) white eyeliner with a flame in her eyes coming under questioning. This particular post is currently up on their Instagram account.
An Instagram user shared a TikTok that documented the debacle, thus being able to grab the brand's response to the initial backlash. "Hi all, we wanted to respond to some comments on this post. This image is an outtake from our Christmas advert which was recorded in August with traditionally coloured Christmas party hats," the brand stated. The TikTok user called the response "patronising" and questioned Marks & Spencer's public relations team's awareness of current affairs.
Many internet users have since taken to X to express their anger over this move. "Boycott Marks & Spencer if you’re boycotting everything else, this is so messed up," wrote one user of the site formerly known as Twitter. "What were Marks & Spencer actually thinking here?" questioned another.
Boycott marks and spencers if you’re boycotting everything else, this is so messed up pic.twitter.com/J35s45PL3w
— amir 🦂 (@amirnrf) November 1, 2023
What were Marks & Spencers actually thinking here... pic.twitter.com/uJ9JtNc5eL
One X user highlighted, "Anyway, I saw this on Marks & Spencer's Instagram account for their Christmas advert and it’s pretty obvious what they’re trying to convey here, so please boycott your local Marks & Spencer." Another said, "Boycott Marks & Spencer! This is a Palestinian flag being burnt by a Marks & Spencer advert. Beware all, do not shop at Marks & Spencer."
anyway i saw this on marks and spencers instagram account for their christmas advert and it’s pretty obvious what they’re trying to convey here lol so please boycott your local marks and spencers #FreePalestine #BDSMovement pic.twitter.com/qq02Em86Zy
— HanDonald McSeungmin (@h922js) November 1, 2023BOYCOTT Marks& Spencers!
This a Palestinian flag being burnt by Marks & Spencer advert.
Beware all, do not shop at Marks&Spencers pic.twitter.com/CT4TTxkVeSOne X user labelled Marks & Spencer a "sick, disgusting, vile Zionist company," with another stating, "Marks & Spencer posted an ad with the colours of the Palestinian flag burning in the fireplace and got called out and deleted it. They knew what they were doing." Yet another said, "Marks & Spencer aren't fooling anyone."
BOYCOTT MARKS AND SPENCERS SICK DISGUSTING VILE ZIONIST COMPANY pic.twitter.com/i0lo5NzKpi
— ∞ (@nassyjb) November 1, 2023Loll marks & spencers posted an ad w the colours of the palestinian flag burning in the fireplace and got called out and deleted it. They knew what they were doing.
— holly ☆ (@hailieybieber) November 1, 2023marks and spencers aren’t fooling anyone. pic.twitter.com/u0jYcHc3p8
One X user shared a screengrab of the ad, much like the others, and called the move "extremely racist and unacceptable." Furthermore, they said, "Shame on you, genocide supporters. Shame on you."
Marks and Spencers just posted that. EXTREMELY RACIST AND UNACCEPTABLE. @marksandspencer SHAME ON YOU GENOCIDE SUPPORTERS SHAME ON YOU pic.twitter.com/QRsf9It0x4
Tensions are high globally as Israel continues its onslaught of cruel barbarity on Palestinians. With the death toll surpassing 8500, as per Al Jazeera English, no end seems to be in sight for Israel's continuous attacks on the people of Palestine.
Many influential figures are lending their voice to the cause, amplifying stories coming out of Palestine, whilst also continuously condemning complicit powers in aiding the mindless Israeli massacre.
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