Lebanon has banned Disney’s live-action film “Snow White” due to the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The decision was ordered by Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar and is rooted in Gadot’s inclusion on the country’s long-standing “Israel boycott list.”
This list prohibits the release of any film featuring Israeli nationals, especially those who have served in the Israel Defence Forces or are vocal supporters of Israel, as is the case with Gadot.
The ban comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have resulted in civilian casualties. Lebanon’s film and media oversight body recommended the ban, and it aligns with the country’s broader policy of boycotting Israeli artists and productions.
Notably, no film starring Gal Gadot has ever been released in Lebanon, making this move consistent with previous decisions rather than a new precedent.
While some rumours suggested the film was also banned in other countries, regional distributors clarified that the ban is specific to Lebanon and does not extend to places like Kuwait. The controversy surrounding “Snow White” in Lebanon is therefore directly tied to Gal Gadot’s Israeli nationality and her public support for Israel, rather than the content of the film itself or the performance of other cast members.
This reflects Lebanon’s ongoing commitment to the Israel boycott list in the context of the current conflict and political climate in the region.