The United Kingdom considers investigating Zara for advertising seen as alluding to the war in Gaza

The Spanish fashion multinational Zarawhich has received complaints from British consumers who linked one of its advertisements to the war in the Middle East, announced that it has withdrawn it so as not to offend anyone, but at the same time noted that “The Jacket” campaign was “misunderstanding”.

“The campaign, which was conceived in July and photographed in September, features a series of images of unfinished sculptures in a sculptor’s studio and was created for the sole purpose of showcasing artisanal clothing in an artistic context.“, says Zara in a statement on his Instagram account.

The company adds that “unfortunately“Some clients were offended because they saw in those images”something very far from what was intended when they were created”.

The statement does not refer to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but by mentioning the dates on which the questioned images were created and photographed, it is clear that it was before the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas following an attack carried out on October 7 in Israeli territory by the armed wing of the Islamist movement.

As reported this Monday by a spokesperson for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of the United Kingdom, they have received “about 50 complaints” from people who argue that the images in “The Jacket” reference the current conflict between Israel and Hamas and “They are offensive”.

“We are reviewing these complaints – we emphasize that we are not currently investigating the advertisement itself – and therefore cannot comment further.“, he pointed.

After examining the complaints, the ASA will decide whether or not to investigate the advertisement in question to determine whether it violates advertising standards.

Complaints in the UK concern ‘The Jacket’ social media campaign, which features a model holding a mannequin wrapped in what appears to be white plastic and others without limbs, against a background of ruins .

A multitude of comments on the networks have stated that the images, some of which appear to have already been removed by the company, are reminiscent of those killed in Gaza after the Israeli bombing that followed the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7.

Some users called for a boycott of the products of the Spanish brand, part of the group Inditex.

Last November, the British company Marks & Spencer had to withdraw a Christmas advertisement after ASA received 116 complaints also for its alleged connection to the conflict.

In that advertisement, which the regulator finally considered did not violate any guidelines, the typical paper Christmas wreaths in the colors red, silver and green, similar to those of the Palestinian flag, appeared burning in a fireplace.