Marks & Spencer has apologised after it was accused of sharing an image showing Christmas hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag being burned in a fireplace.
The British retailer shared the outtake from its new Christmas campaign on its social channels.
It has since removed the post and apologised for any unintentional hurt caused.
The new Marks & Spencer campaign features the slogan: ‘Love Thismas, not Thatmas”.
Our Clothing & Home Christmas campaign is here! #LoveThismasNotThatmas brings to life some of the realistic truths many of our customers face at Christmas & reminding everyone that it doesn’t matter how you celebrate, just do more of what you love❤️
👉 https://t.co/LNQBLIhFHY pic.twitter.com/oWz4BMsmlD— M&S News (@MandSnews) November 1, 2023
Set to a cover version of Meat Loaf’s I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That), it features Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Queer Eye star Tan France enjoying a range of Christmas traditions before rebelling against others.
The actors are shown enjoying putting up the decorations and playing charades before burning greeting cards, beating the Elf on the Shelf with a bat and throwing a board game into an aquarium.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
The outtake shared yesterday showed Christmas hats burning in a fireplace; however, critics were quick to point out that the hats were in the colours of the Palestinian flag.
In a statement, the retailer said the ad was recorded last August.
“It showed traditional, festive-coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate.
“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 apologised for any hurt caused.”
Separately, the retailer has said the campaign is about encouraging people to do “more of what you love” over Christmas, while avoiding the Christmas traditions you do not enjoy.
