Lebanese authorities announced this week a ban on screening Disney's live-action version of "Snow White" in movie theaters throughout the country. The decision was made following the participation of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the role of the Evil Queen in the film.

According to official sources, Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar made the decision after receiving a request from the local cinema and media regulatory body. The official reasoning is based on the fact that Gadot's name appears on the country's official boycott list of Israel, due to her military service in the IDF and her public support for the State of Israel.

This step is not unusual in Lebanese policy. In the past, screenings of other films starring Gadot, including "Wonder Woman" and "Death on the Nile," were banned for exactly the same reasons.

Gal Gadot, known for her uncompromising support for Israel, has been especially prominent in her positions since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023. In a speech delivered during the Anti-Defamation League summit in 2024, Gadot strongly criticized voices supporting Hamas around the world. "Celebrating the massacre of Jews is something that cannot be ignored", the actress said in her emotional speech.

The prevailing opinion in the country is that screening films starring actors who support Israel is not compatible with the current national situation and the daily Israeli violations, as they are perceived in Lebanese society.

Recently, Lebanese authorities made a similar decision to ban the screening of Marvel's "Captain America: Brave New World", which features Israeli actress Shira Haas. In this case too, the official reason was identical – a cultural boycott of Israeli creators.

These repeated decisions reflect Lebanon's commitment to a clear policy of boycotting works in which actors with Israeli citizenship participate.

It should be noted that the "Snow White" film was controversial even before the Lebanese boycott was announced. Since the initial announcement of its production, the film became an arena for political and cultural confrontations.

The contrast between Zegler and Gadot became a symbol of the political controversy surrounding the film. Zegler, known for her support of Palestinians since 2021, stands in sharp contrast to Gadot, who does not hide her support for Israel. Gadot, who previously served in the IDF, delivered a passionate speech in support of Israel in 2024, which sparked widespread indignation among audiences in the Arab and international world, especially in light of the ongoing escalation in Gaza and southern Lebanon.

With the release of the official trailer for "Snow White" last year, calls for boycotting the film began to emerge, especially in Arab countries. Under mounting pressure, Disney was forced to reduce the scale of the premiere event in Los Angeles held on March 15, in an attempt to soften public criticism. However, it seems that this move failed to prevent the wave of negative criticism that flooded the film.

Lebanon's decision to ban the screening of the film thus joins a chain of challenges that faced the production of "Snow White", reflecting the political and cultural complexity that accompanies Hollywood productions during the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

While Disney struggles to deal with the many controversies associated with the film, Lebanon's cultural boycott policy against Israel continues to affect the global entertainment industry, leaving Lebanese cinema viewers without the ability to watch the new version of one of the world's most beloved fairy tales.

The ban on screening "Snow White" demonstrates how political conflicts affect the field of culture and entertainment, and how geopolitical tension seeps into every aspect of artistic creation and cultural consumption in the Middle East. The film, intended to be a family entertainment experience, has involuntarily become a point of contention in the ongoing regional conflict, and an echo of the political and military tensions in the region.

As the cultural boycott of Israel continues to expand and affect Israeli creators and artists worldwide, it remains to be seen how this policy will impact the future of international collaborations in the film industry, and whether it will influence the considerations of major film studios in selecting actors in the future.

Israelis are filled with pride for Gal Gadot, and there is no doubt that Lebanon's regressive decision will not pose an obstacle to the continued creativity of Gal Gadot, who is a source of both national and international pride.

Disney has refrained from giving an official response, while Gal Gadot herself has not reacted at all to the Lebanese decision – the loss is Lebanon's alone (perhaps it would have been better for them to admire the acclaimed "masterpieces" such as the "Katyusha" rocket from Hezbollah's fine workshop, or alternatively enjoy the spectacular artistic performance of "Hamas" in its glorious downfall).

Photo: Disney

הפוסט Lebanon Bans "Snow White" Due to Gal Gadot הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

The shocking story of the Bibas family began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists kidnapped mother Shiri Bibas along with her children, 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir, taking them to the Gaza Strip. The father, Yarden Bibas, was separately kidnapped by the terrorists within the kibbutz grounds. After months of uncertainty and conflicting reports, in February 2025, the horrifying truth was revealed. IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari disclosed that the children were brutally murdered by their captors in the first weeks of the war, and that the terrorists attempted to cover up their atrocities.

Gal Gadot, who serves as a significant voice in the international arena, continued her efforts to raise awareness about the hostages' fate. In another post published on January 5, 2025, she wrote: "Yesterday we received a sign of life from Liri – a sign that highlighted the pain that Liri, along with 99 other hostages, have been held captive in Hamas tunnels for over 450 days." Gadot painfully added: "On a personal level, while I prepare for a festive and emotional evening, my heart is heavy, and my soul aches knowing that the hostages are still there. Every day that passes without an agreement endangers their lives. I can't help but think about the families waiting for them, counting the hours, minutes, hopes. They must return home".

The importance of Gadot's social media activity is amplified by her reach to millions of people worldwide. Her posts, combining her influence as a successful Hollywood actress with her Israeli identity, serve as an important advocacy tool in the international arena. As the Bibas family tragedy continues to unfold, with mother Shiri's fate still unknown, Gal Gadot's voice joins the international chorus demanding the release of all hostages. Her use of her massive Instagram platform helps raise global awareness about the suffering of the hostages' families and keeps the issue on the world's public agenda.

הפוסט Israel's Ambassador to Hollywood: Gal Gadot Stands with the Bibas Family הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

The affair began when Gadot, who presented one of the awards at the prestigious ceremony, appeared on stage without the pin associated with the campaign to free Israeli hostages in Gaza. Following public criticism in Israel, Gadot's team stated that she was prohibited from wearing the pin due to "ceremony rules".

However, in an official response obtained by YNET, the Golden Globes organizers firmly denied this claim: "There is no policy against political accessories, pins of any kind were not prohibited, including in Gal Gadot's case. Any other claim is completely false".

In their full statement, the organizers clarified: "The Golden Globes has no policy prohibiting the wearing of pins or other symbols supporting, or perceived to support, political or social causes. Over the years, wearing pins and symbols has been part of the ceremonies for various causes and issues, and we do not restrict what guests choose to wear".

Hours before the ceremony, Gadot posted to her numerous Instagram followers, addressing the hostages' situation: "On a personal level, while I'm preparing for a festive and exciting evening, my heart is heavy and my soul is tormented by the fact that the hostages are still there". Instead of the pin, Gadot chose to wear a yellow ring.

Reactions in Israel were swift. TV host Ophira Assayag attacked sharply: "One small pin with great significance for the whole world to see wouldn't have ruined your dress". Assayag later added in a video: "You would have come out super-big and super-Israeli if you had said 'without the hostages pin, I'm not going on stage'".

The affair sparked heated discussion on social media, with some users supporting Gadot, claiming "she's not Israel's private property", while others accused her of prioritizing career considerations over solidarity with the hostages' issue.

The controversy reflects the complex tension between commitment to national values and professional considerations in the international arena, raising questions about Israeli celebrities' role in representing the country on the global stage.

Update (01.09.2024):
Following public opinion outcry, actress Gal Gadot clarified that she was not prevented from wearing the hostages solidarity pin during the prestigious Golden Globe Awards ceremony. In a statement to YNET, Gadot emphasized that "I was never restricted in any way regarding wearing the pin at the ceremony". She firmly added that "certain elements chose to spread baseless rumors", and stressed the paramount importance of focusing attention on the hostages' issue.

Simultaneously, an official clarification was issued by the Golden Globes management, stating that "there is no existing policy against wearing political symbols, and no restrictions were placed on wearing pins of any kind, including in Gal Gadot's case" (YNET).

It's worth noting that before the ceremony, Gadot posted on Instagram calling for the immediate release of the hostages. During the event itself, the actress chose to wear a yellow-tinted ring as a gesture of solidarity (Walla! Celebs).

Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, Content per Section 27a

הפוסט Did Gal Gadot Lie? Golden Globes Reveals the Truth הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

הפוסט גל גדות שיקרה? גלובוס הזהב חושף את האמת הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.