Bella Hadid has issued an apology via Twitter after a social media post over the weekend sparked outrage among her fans in the Middle East.
The model, 22, shared an image to her Instagram Stories showing the heel of her shoe up against an airport window seemingly 'kicking' planes that had the Saudi and UAE flags on them.
After the hashtag #BellaHadidIsRacist went viral, Bella tweeted a statement on Monday insisting the image she shared had 'NOTHING to do with politics.'
'I never noticed the planes in the background and that is the truth. I would never mean to disrespect these airlines, let alone these amazing countries,' she said.
Controversy: Bella Hadid, 22, has issued an apology via Twitter after a social media post over the weekend sparked outrage among her fans in the Middle East
Insult? The model was accused of racism after sharing this image showing the heel of her shoe up against an airport window seemingly 'kicking' planes bearing the Saudi and UAE flags
Bella's father is a Palestinian and she wrote that she 'would never want my posts or platform to be used for hate against anyone, especially those of my own beautiful & powerful heritage.'
She went on: 'Not only do I have so much respect from the bottom of my heart, I have always tried to stand up for what I feel is right, especially regarding the great Middle East. I have never and will never be the one to talk down on these countries… Only to spread love, and the true beauty of them, as the way I was taught by my Teta and my father. To feel as if I have disappointed you is what hurts me the most.'
The model concluded: 'I want to send a sincere apology to those who ever thought I would put blame on them, especially to Saudi Arabia and the UAE… This was never the case, and I hope you can understand the misunderstanding.'
Apology: Bella's father is a Palestinian and she wrote that she 'would never want my posts or platform to be
