Page 3 | M&S Christmas ad

Green777 · 2023-11-02T09:08:29+00:00

M&S now deleted Christmas ad has been heavily criticised for burning hats in the colour of the Palestine flag and for the reflection of a blue and white flame burning in the eye of a smirking Sophie Ellis-Baxter. Lots of people are boycotting M&S for the ‘dark and twisted’ post supposedly celebrating the genocide of Palestine even though M&S say it was filmed before the 7th October attack from Hamas, pointing out the founder of M&S as being a Zionist. It does seem to be very much a coincidence?

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Green777 · 03/11/2023 11:11

@AgingDisgracefullyHere

As far as I can see from comments of people that are very offended by this, they also agree that the details are subtle. They don’t think M&S would have got away with anything more obvious. Being subtle or ‘subliminal’ doesn’t make it less offensive to them though.

And looking at the details, with this war going on, I do find it understandable that it could cause offence.

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DevonWindyWeather · 03/11/2023 11:10

SharonEllis · 02/11/2023 09:16

Absolute nonsense. The palestinian flag is red, green, white & black. The hats are christmas colours red, green & silver. The blue eye shadow conspiracy theory is too nonsensical to even discuss.

This is very clear antisemitism because M&S started as a Jewish company.

It does reveal the conspiracist frame of mind of many people though.

It does.

It also reveals how completely thick many people are to assume M&S planned this way back in July/August and ran it to offend. Tic Toc and Instagram seem to be full of dense people who don't appear to realise that the conspiracy theories they believe and share make no sense.

AgingDisgracefullyHere · 03/11/2023 11:04

Another thing: people are reacting to closely cropped details. The original post was a full length woman standing in front of a Christmas tree. The fireplace is down in the left corner. It really is much, much less "obvious" that green and red colours are being burned. I can see it being overlooked by the majority of people, including the ones who OK it for publication.

OhHelloTheres · 03/11/2023 11:04

Green777 · 03/11/2023 11:00

@OhHelloTheres

Yes of course they should post their Christmas ad for Christmas - are you feeling okay?

If you’d read anything I’ve said you’d understand the timing I’m referring to is the war…sorry you didn’t seem to get that.

Just so it’s clear - an add with these images in a time of war with both flags people feel are being represented is indeed and has proved to be, offensive to many who care about the plight of the tens of thousands being killed by war crimes as we speak. Don’t feign ignorance of this please.

As I uploaded these pics Mumsnet has flagged the picture of the flags burning as ‘SENSITIVE IMAGE’. I wonder why they’ve done that? It’s just Christmas hats?

Here is a picture of my neighbours' hedge that was sent to me on WhatsApp. Mumsnet have also asked me if this is sensitive content.

Wwwnothingdotcom · 03/11/2023 11:03

Keep your drama going if you want to, but it is ridiculous and nothing to do with the conflict

DevonWindyWeather · 03/11/2023 11:00

There are lots of idiots around. Filmed months before. Everything isn't Gaza. These idiots look for things to moan about. Christmas colours are Christmas colours. Seems with some they want everything changing to suit them!

They ignore other wars. The Dafur genocide didn't appear to suit their narrative and garner sympathy but Gaza gets the virtual signalling going and hatred of Israel. Hamas have done a great job of using their people as shields and for publicity. Yet Hamas dont care for their own people at all, just their sick aims and even get people on here parroting their twisted logic and skewed history, often twisted from reality!

I'd rather Israel than many restricted Middle Eastern countries as a place to grow, learn and live. Despite Hamas stated intentions to continue until they wipe Israel off the face the of the earth many still don't get that Israel are fighting for their very existence as a people.

Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 11:00

@OhHelloTheres

Yes of course they should post their Christmas ad for Christmas - are you feeling okay?

If you’d read anything I’ve said you’d understand the timing I’m referring to is the war…sorry you didn’t seem to get that.

Just so it’s clear - an add with these images in a time of war with both flags people feel are being represented is indeed and has proved to be, offensive to many who care about the plight of the tens of thousands being killed by war crimes as we speak. Don’t feign ignorance of this please.

As I uploaded these pics Mumsnet has flagged the picture of the flags burning as ‘SENSITIVE IMAGE’. I wonder why they’ve done that? It’s just Christmas hats?

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AgingDisgracefullyHere · 03/11/2023 10:56

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:45

@AgingDisgracefullyHere

Anyone in marketing knows how rigorously screened campaigns like this are with many meetings discussing each and every second and shot.

Of course they knew and aired it anyway because they can use the excuse that it was created before Oct 7th.

No company in their right mind would dare to post that with what’s happening now, unless…

Unless what?!

Wwwnothingdotcom · 03/11/2023 10:55

No, it's just simply absolutely stupid thing to claim the ad, Christmas colours and Gaza have any connection. Anyone with functional brain understands that

Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:54

@graciousmouse

You’ll get told you’re being ridiculous for thinking it was in poor taste.

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OhHelloTheres · 03/11/2023 10:54

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:48

@OhHelloTheres

Gold, red, green are colours that spring to mind.

Please keep in mind, I’m aware that it was probably not intentioned when it was filmed - I can’t say for sure. But the airing of it now? That does seem very sus.

Also those colours aren’t being used in a Christmas joyful sense, they’re being burned in the fire.

You mean the airing of it in the run up to Christmas seems suspect?

So you acknowledge the colours used are Christmassy. It's the run up to Christmas so they ran their Christmas advert. Yet the timing is suspect? Any suggestions on when they should've run their Christmas advert? Saved it for their spring/summer collection maybe?

Unlike you, I can say for sure - nothing about it is "sus". It's a Christmas advert using Christmas colours in the run up to Christmas.

Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:53

@Wwwnothingdotcom

Oh that’s okay then as long as your DH didn’t get offended.

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Wwwnothingdotcom · 03/11/2023 10:51

DH is arab from the region and even he rolled his eyes so no, it's not "of course it will offend" generally.
It would only offend those looking for offence and conspiracies 🤷
It's all Christmas colours.

I am not pro Isreal (in this situation, not generally) but people are being so extra and hypocritical last month it's fucking laughable.

graciousmouse · 03/11/2023 10:49

Did anyone see the recent Kim Kardashian instagram post whereby she dressed her kids up in halloween "Zombie" football costumes basically with blood smeared all over them and holes everywhere.

It looked like she was mocking Gazan children and even if it wasn't meant in that way, she should have known better and it was in poor taste.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzHjNS-SKvC/?img_index=3

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzHjNS-SKvC?img_index=3

Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:48

@OhHelloTheres

Gold, red, green are colours that spring to mind.

Please keep in mind, I’m aware that it was probably not intentioned when it was filmed - I can’t say for sure. But the airing of it now? That does seem very sus.

Also those colours aren’t being used in a Christmas joyful sense, they’re being burned in the fire.

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Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:46

@AgingDisgracefullyHere so that’s your only comment and answer to what I said? I see.

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Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:45

@AgingDisgracefullyHere

Anyone in marketing knows how rigorously screened campaigns like this are with many meetings discussing each and every second and shot.

Of course they knew and aired it anyway because they can use the excuse that it was created before Oct 7th.

No company in their right mind would dare to post that with what’s happening now, unless…

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OhHelloTheres · 03/11/2023 10:45

@Green777 still interested to hear what colours you would consider Christmassy

OhHelloTheres · 03/11/2023 10:43

graciousmouse · 03/11/2023 10:30

By the same terms, the Greta Thunberg / octopus debacle was equally ridiculous but it was termed "antisemitic" due to the use of the Octopus plushie supposedly being an antisemitic trope. I am not saying there are not historical incidences of Octopus / anti semitic propaganda but to claim the plushie is such is patently a stretch. (Let's not forget she also has a Jewish person in the pic!).

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmcgowan/2023/10/25/greta-thunbergs-stand-with-gaza-is-a-problem-for-the-climate-change-movement/

(The article linked is just a reminder of the Octopus and what happened rather than the main point.)

It works both ways!

Agreed, I thought that was equally far-fetched. Although people really should stop this nonsense of "there's even a Jew in the photo!". It's all a bit "I can't be racist, some of my best friends are black", don't you think?

Jews are not all one people. We're allowed different opinions. I mean, Hamas would still gladly murder the person in the photo in cold blood as they won't differentiate, but we come in all different shapes and sizes. There's a joke about there being two Jews left in Afghanistan but three synagogues. (Although probably best if a non-Jew not repeat it 🙈) We're all entitled to our own opinions.

AgingDisgracefullyHere · 03/11/2023 10:42

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:41

@SirVixofVixHall

Ireland is not currently being razed to the ground with 10,000 civilians or more killed and being killed as we speak, AFAIK.

M&S knows their reputation of ‘Zionist’ roots and how this post would be taken. Even if the flags aren’t being represented, they knew how it would be perceived for this reason.

What's that quote? Don't attribute something to malice when ignorance is the more likely reason?

AgingDisgracefullyHere · 03/11/2023 10:41

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:37

@SomeCatFromJapan It’s really quite simple, many have taken offence and decided to boycott M&S because it really was bound to offend. They knew this before they aired it.

Could you please elaborate on the anti-Semitic conspiracies?

You think they knew they'd offend before they aired it? That it was deliberate? And this benefits a publicly traded company how?

Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:41

@SirVixofVixHall

Ireland is not currently being razed to the ground with 10,000 civilians or more killed and being killed as we speak, AFAIK.

M&S knows their reputation of ‘Zionist’ roots and how this post would be taken. Even if the flags aren’t being represented, they knew how it would be perceived for this reason.

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AgingDisgracefullyHere · 03/11/2023 10:40

The octopus may have been placed there for a reason, which makes it antisemitic even if they don't realise that's what they're doing. Or it may have just happened to have been there because she likes the cuddly toy and it was nearby. It's an unfortunate image and anyone who has good intentions would remove it once made aware of the problem. She did so.

I am not sure how I feel about the use of antiZionist Jews. The ultra orthodox are all against the Israeli state, as well as plenty of more liberal Jews. I don't disagree with that. But using the presence of Jewish people to claim that there can be no associated antisemitism bothers me.

Trump supporters used to point to Blacks for Trump as proof that MAGA doesn't have a racism issue. And black people at rallies would be moved to spots behind Trump where they could be photographed.

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Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:38

@AgingDisgracefullyHere

I agree, Tik-toks like that are just as disgusting as anti-muslim/Palestine. They should be taken down immediately.

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Original poster

Green777 · 03/11/2023 10:37

@SomeCatFromJapan It’s really quite simple, many have taken offence and decided to boycott M&S because it really was bound to offend. They knew this before they aired it.

Could you please elaborate on the anti-Semitic conspiracies?

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