Lebanon bans Disney’s “Snow White” starring Gal Gadot amidst escalating Israeli tensions and fierce protests worldwide.
At a Glance
- Disney’s “Snow White” banned in Lebanon due to Gal Gadot’s Israeli ties.
- Ban ordered by Lebanon’s Interior Minister amid Israeli-Hezbollah tensions.
- Gadot, former IDF soldier, advocates for Israel post Hamas attacks.
- Film faced production challenges and poor box office performance.
Lebanese Ban Over Israeli Connections
Lebanon officially banned Disney’s “Snow White,” starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot, citing her presence as the primary reason. The ban continues a trend of prohibitions by Lebanon against films involving Israeli actors, directed by Lebanon’s Interior Minister, amid mounting Israeli-Hezbollah tensions. Gadot’s roles, including “Wonder Woman” and “Death on the Nile,” have similarly faced bans in Lebanon.
Gal Gadot, playing The Evil Queen in the film, is a former member of the Israel Defense Forces and has supported Israel vocally. Her advocacy intensified following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Such outspoken support led to backlash and reinforced the call for a boycott from groups like BDS and PACBI.
Political Dynamics Within the Cast and Crew
The film also stars Rachel Zegler, with whom there have been reported tensions due to differing political views. While Gadot supports Israel, Zegler is outspoken about her support for Palestine, having publicly declared “Free Palestine.” These divisions have influenced their promotional presence and led to heightened security measures due to death threats directed at Gadot.
“My heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people.” – Gal Gadot.
Gal Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was disrupted by protesters, illustrating the deep-rooted conflict between supporters of Israel and Palestine. The complex political views have undeniably affected the film’s international reception and its cast’s work dynamics.
Impact on Box Office and Future Prospects
Despite being a high-budget film, “Snow White” has struggled at the international box office, only grossing $182.6 million against a budget requiring over $550 million to break even. The film’s production was also marred by COVID-19 delays, a SAG-AFTRA strike, and on-set adversity. Mixed reviews have plagued the movie, and Disney has opted not to comment on the ban or box office results.
“I know it sounds cliché, but just as they are teaching us to hate, by increasing antisemitism, we can also teach them to love.” – Gal Gadot.
Lebanon’s cultural stance and regional tensions continue to shape the global entertainment landscape, urging major studios to reflect on casting and political alignments in storytelling. Whether these controversies will diminish “Snow White’s” impact or overshadow its artistic intents remains a pertinent question for audiences worldwide.
