Benetton's controversial ads

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World leaders are shown kissing in digitally manipulated images that are part of Benetton's new "unhate" ad campaign promoting tolerance. The retailer withdrew an advertisement using an image of Pope Benedict kissing an imam on the mouth after the Vatican protested at its inappropriate 'shock value.'

World leaders are shown kissing in digitally manipulated images that are part of Benetton's new "unhate" ad campaign promoting tolerance. Here, U.S. President Barack Obama and China's President Hu Jintao are shown. Benetton Group is known for its controversial ads.


Other world figures include Pope Benedict XVI and Dr. Ahmed al Tayyeb, the grand sheikh of Cairo's Al Azhar Mosque. This image was pulled from the campaign after a complaint by the Vatican.





A digitally altered advertisement by United Colors of Benetton depicting President Barack Obama kissing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is seen in a handout image. REUTERS/Benetton/Handout


North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak....


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.


The Vatican says it is taking legal action to prevent the publication of a photo montage showing the pope kissing a leading imam as part of a Benetton advertising campaign. (AFP Photo/Patrick Kovarik)
A man strolls in front of the Benetton store in downtown Rome November 16, 2011. Benetton withdrew an advertisement using an image of Pope Benedict kissing an imam on the mouth after the Vatican protested on Wednesday at the Italian clothing firm's latest shock campaign. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini (ITALY - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION BUSINESS)...