Marks & Spencer has sparked outrage after removing a social media teaser of its Christmas advert following claims it could be insensitive to Palestinians.
The advert showed red, green and silver paper hats thrown into a lounge fire. However, some social media users demanded action after suggesting the layout of the blazing crowns resembled the Palestinian flag.
The Palestinian flag, which was officially adopted in 1988, includes black and white strips rather than silver.
M&S accompanied the original post with a caption which said: "This Christmas, do what you love... like saying no to paper hats."
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However, the supermarket giant eventually deleted the Instagram post and issued a statement apologising for any hurt caused.
The statement 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."
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An image from outside an M&S storePAHowever, the decision to apologise and remove the post also led M&S to receive even more criticism.
Lord David Frost, who served as Boris Johnson’s chief Brexit negotiator, said: “For the first time (I think), it marks a symbolic distancing not just from the original Christian meaning of Christmas - that unfortunately went long ago - but also from its secularised successor: family, children, food, games, tree, elves, and so on.”
He added: “In that sense it is entirely in line with trends in society more generally, including a devaluing of tradition and a distancing from the Christian roots of our society.
“But the negative reaction at least shows that these are not yet deeply embedded or wholly uncontroversial.”
Conservative social media commentator Chris Rose quipped: “This isn’t just pathetic, this is M&S pathetic.”
Lord David Frost voiced concern about the M&S outtake debacle
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Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley added: “So M&S’s attempt to cancel Christmas, released in November, has been cancelled for its inflammatory commentary on a war that started three months after it was filmed.”
M&S' now controversial post coincided with the release of the retailer’s Christmas advert.
The advertisement included stars such as singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Marvel actress Zawe Ashton and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.
However, outrage about any link with events in Israel comes just weeks after 1,400 Israelis were massacred when Hamas launched its attack on October 7.
More than 9,000 Palestinians have also died in attacks in response from Israel's Defence Forces, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has said.
