Disney’s live-action “Snow White” has been banned from playing in movie theaters in Lebanon due to the presence in the film of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the role of the the Evil Queen.
The ban was ordered by Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar who, according to local media, was prompted to take action by the country’s film and media watchdog amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have caused civilian deaths.
However, a representative for Beirut-based Middle East distributor Italia Films, which handles Disney titles in the region, told Variety that Gadot has long been on Lebanon’s “Israel boycott list” and that no movie in which she stars has ever been released in the country. Representatives for Gadot did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
The Italia Films rep added that, contrary to several reports, “Snow White” has not also been banned in Kuwait.
Gadot, who was born in Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces, has been an outspoken advocate for the country, especially following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. In a passionate speech she delivered on March 4 when she was honored at the Anti-Defamation League’s annual summit in New York City, she said: “Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States, and different cities around the world, we would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying and cheering on a massacre of Jews.”
The “Snow White” ban in Lebanon follows a similar move by the country’s authorities roughly two months ago, when Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” was not allowed to screen due to the presence in the film of Israeli actress Shira Haas.
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