David Schwimmer's New Quince Ad Campaign Sparks Pro-Palestinian Backlash

Actor David Schwimmer, globally renowned for his iconic role as Ross Geller in the television series Friends, has sparked a major controversy following his appearance in a new advertising campaign for the American fashion brand Quince.

The commercial, launched on November 9 under the title "The Red Sweater," features a nostalgic nod to Schwimmer's famous sitcom character while promoting a limited-edition cashmere collection. However, the actor's vocal public support for Israel, particularly since the October 7 attacks, made the campaign an immediate target for pro-Palestinian activists.

Social media platforms quickly flooded with hostile reactions, with critics labeling Schwimmer a Zionist and calling for a boycott of the brand. Comments included threats to add Quince to boycott lists, cancellations of recent orders, and xenophobic slurs such as "Zio." Conversely, supporters rallied to his defense, condemning the backlash as crossing the line from political disagreement into overt antisemitism.

Since October 7, Schwimmer has consistently used his platform to advocate for Israel and combat antisemitism. In December 2023, he publicly criticized human rights organizations and activists for ignoring or denying Hamas atrocities against women. He subsequently spoke out against antisemitic incidents on US university campuses in April 2024 and urged entertainment industry peers in March 2025 to take a stand against hatred targeting the Jewish community.