Disney’s live-action ‘Snow White’ pulled from Lebanese cinemas due to lead villain’s ties to Israel
Film Blocked Amid Gaza War Tensions
Disney’s upcoming Snow White remake has been banned from cinemas across Lebanon due to the presence of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. Gadot is a known supporter of Tel Aviv during the ongoing war in Gaza.
The decision was enacted by Lebanon’s Interior Minister, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, following a recommendation by the country’s film and media censorship authority. According to local reports, the move was prompted by Gadot’s outspoken support for Israel during its repeated violations of ceasefires and continuing strikes on Gaza.
A representative from Italia Films, Disney’s West Asia distributor based in Beirut, told Variety that Gadot has long been on Lebanon’s boycott list and no films starring her have ever screened in the country. Lebanon had previously banned Gadot’s Wonder Woman and Death on the Nile for the same reason.
Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, has maintained a pro-Israel stance since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. At a March 4 speech during the Anti-Defamation League’s annual summit in New York, she expressed shock at what she described as growing global tolerance of antisemitism and support for Hamas.
These remarks came amid a devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza that has left over 51,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—dead, and more than 115,000 injured. Thousands remain missing and are feared buried under rubble. Reports also indicate a severe hunger crisis in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands lacking access to clean drinking water.

‘Snow White’ Faces Backlash Beyond Lebanon
The controversy surrounding Snow White goes beyond geopolitical tensions. Lead actress Rachel Zegler, a 23-year-old Colombian-American, has faced criticism for past social media posts opposing former President Donald Trump and supporting Palestine. Disney insiders have reportedly blamed her political stances for the film’s disappointing box office performance.
With a $250 million production budget, the movie has grossed only around $183 million globally—a significant loss after accounting for marketing costs. Problems began early; the film’s first teaser, released in early 2024, became one of the most disliked trailers on YouTube, receiving over 1.5 million dislikes.
Criticism has also focused on Disney’s reimagining of the classic tale. The updated version removed the traditional European white princess, replaced the seven dwarfs with a racially diverse group, and eliminated the prince character. Zegler’s own dismissive remarks about the original Disney film further fueled public disapproval.
Many critics, especially conservatives, see these changes as driven by an ideological agenda aligned with Hollywood’s recent focus on racial justice, gender equality, and minority rights. While some view these shifts as progressive and necessary, others argue they have gone too far and are alienating mainstream audiences.
A Troubled Release
Snow White, written by Greta Gerwig and directed by Marc Webb, finally hit theaters in late March 2025—three years after production wrapped. The film currently holds an IMDb rating of just 1.6 out of 10 from over 337,000 users, making it one of the lowest-rated films in the platform’s history.
Lebanon’s ban follows a similar move two months earlier, when authorities blocked the release of Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World due to the casting of Israeli actress Shira Haas.
From: fars