Marks & Spencer has apologised after an outtake from a Christmas advert was perceived to be offensive to Palestinians.
The popular retailer faced heavy criticism online for an image showing Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate.
M&S posted the image on their Instagram with the caption: "This Christmas, do only what you love... like saying no to paper hats (although, if we're honest, we're partial)."
The hats are green, red and silver and were seen by some on social media to resemble the colours of the Palestinian flag, which is green, red and white.
It was also accompanied by the hashtag #LoveThismasNotThatmas.
One user on X said: "How come you have that much hate to deliver disguised as “Christmas celebration”?"
The Instagram post was shared on Wednesday morning but subsequently deleted after drawing fierce criticism.
In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, M&S on Wednesday night said: "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.
"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."
A statement from M&S: pic.twitter.com/3tzJKdZbYW
— M&S (@marksandspencer) November 1, 2023
Replying to the original post, one commenter wrote: "This is absolutely vile, you should be ashamed of yourselves."
Another agreed: "Absolutely disgusting. Even if it was recorded in August you should have reshot this image or used technology to make changes. Shame on you!!!"
But other shoppers defended M&S and said the chain shouldn't have had to apologise for the image at all.
One said: "Why are you apologising when it was recorded in August? If some stupid person thinks you have purposely just made it up since the 7th Oct then that's down to them. Deary me.." Another wrote: "Oh for heaven's sake. I don't often use the word snowflake but this is ridiculous. You're apologising because people got 'offended' by a photo of Christmas hats in a fire grate?"
Tan France has defended the ad. The Queer Eye star, 40, blasted the remarks as "ridiculous" and accused them of "reaching" as the advert was shot in August - months before the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.
