Ralph Lauren Branded 'Zionist Trash' Over Gal Gadot's Glitzy 'Modern Luxury' Campaign, Sparking Boycott Calls

Ralph Lauren is facing online boycott calls after the fashion house featured Israeli actress Gal Gadot in a glossy Modern Luxury cover shoot, with some social media users branding the company 'Zionist trash' and urging others to stop buying its products.

The backlash centres on Gadot's Israeli identity and previous service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), while some critics have also drawn attention to Ralph Lauren's Jewish heritage.

The campaign has also drawn the luxury brand into wider online debates surrounding Israel, Gaza and companies' associations with the conflict.

Gal Gadot Campaign Draws Backlash

Ralph Lauren promoted Gadot's Modern Luxury cover on Instagram, describing the actor as wearing gilded dresses from its Fall 2026 collection.

Modern Luxury features Gadot as its September 2026 cover star, with an accompanying profile focused on her career, motherhood and role in the thriller The Runner. The magazine says the cover story was photographed at The Jaffa Hotel in Tel Aviv.

The Ralph Lauren post prompted boycott demands on X. The LPC (@landpalestine) account characterised the reaction as 'massive calls to boycott Ralph Lauren' over the decision.

Other users called the company 'Zionist trash' and urged followers to stop purchasing its products.

These comments represent individual social media users' views and allegations and do not establish that Ralph Lauren has adopted a particular political position.

Ralph Lauren had not publicly responded to the latest backlash in the sources reviewed for this article.

Campaign Backlash

Much of the criticism focuses on Gadot's military background. She completed two years of mandatory service in the IDF, where she served as a fitness and combat-readiness instructor before pursuing her international acting career.

Gadot has also spoken publicly about Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her military background has previously drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian activists.

Her appearance in the Ralph Lauren campaign has become part of a broader debate over brands working with public figures who are politically controversial.

Ralph Lauren's Jewish Heritage Draws Attention

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx in 1939 to Jewish parents who had immigrated to the US from Belarus. He founded his fashion business in 1967, beginning with a line of men's neckties, before building it into a global fashion group.

His Jewish heritage has been cited by some social media users amid the backlash, with posts attempting to link his background to the brand's perceived position on Israel.

However, Lauren's Jewish identity does not establish support for Zionism, the Israeli government, or any particular policy.

Some comments have also contained antisemitic conspiracy rhetoric, which is separate from criticism of the company or its campaign.

Ralph Lauren's Israel Links and Earlier Boycott Calls

Ralph Lauren has also appeared on some pro-Palestinian boycott and campaign websites, which cite the brand's licensing relationship with Israeli apparel company Delta Galil.

In 2021, Delta Galil announced a long-term global licensing agreement with Polo Ralph Lauren for women's intimates and sleepwear.

The company also has a commercial presence in Israel, with Ralph Lauren's official store locator listing three locations in the country, including Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion and the Dead Sea.

These commercial links have also been cited by campaigners calling for a boycott, while the decision to feature Gadot has renewed scrutiny of the brand.

The latest backlash combines criticism of Gadot's Israeli identity and military background with scrutiny of Ralph Lauren's commercial presence in Israel and its licensing relationship with Delta Galil, while some users have also focused on Lauren's Jewish heritage.