The American supermodel uploaded a picture to her Instagram story from an airport departure lounge earlier this week, which showed her resting her shoe on the window in front of her.
But the position of Hadid’s boot meant she was facing the sole toward planes from UAE and Saudi airlines in the background – an act considered offensive in Arab culture.
Social media users from around the Middle East responded with angry posts, labelling the 22-year-old, whose father is Palestinian, a “racist” and a “bully”.
Using the hashtag #BellaHadidIsRacist, some Twitter users filmed themselves binning products from brands – such as Dior – that the model is known to partner with.
Others cropped the image of Hadid’s boot, and transferred it on to pictures of the model’s face.
In response, Hadid tweeted messages in both Arabic and English to say her post had “nothing to do with politics”, and that she hadn’t noticed the planes in the background of the shot.
She added: “I would never want my posts or platform to be used for hate against anyone, especially those of my own beautiful and powerful heritage.
“I absolutely love these airlines, with the best planes and people.”
In a further tweet, Hadid said her post was an “honest mistake on an early morning”.
She concluded: “Never, ever would I intentionally try to offend anyone like that. I am so sorry.”
In Arab culture, the act of showing the sole of your shoe to another can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect as footwear is considered unclean.
This extends to the Muslim faith, where worshippers are expected to remove their footwear before entering a mosque.
