Disney’s ‘Snow White’ faces ban in Lebanon over casting of Israeli Actress Gal Gadot

Lebanon has officially banned Disney’s Snow White remake from cinemas, taking a firm stand in solidarity with Palestine. The decision, recommended by Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar and reported by An-Nahar, stems from the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who appears on Lebanon’s official boycott list.

Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen in Snow White, served in the Israeli Defense Forces. She has also publicly supported Israel in its military actions in Gaza, especially after October 7, when the tensions began to escalate. Her pro-Israeli actions, including her support for broken cease-fires, have made her one of those very controversial figures in the Arab world.

Tensions were heightened further by a sharp contrast with her co-star Rachel Zegler, who has shown public support for Palestine and reportedly resisted Disney’s efforts to censor her social media posts. Rumors suggest their political differences created on-set friction.

Gadot’s recent Hollywood Walk of Fame event was also met with pro-Palestinian protests, signaling growing backlash.

Snow White premiered in the U.S. on March 21 but was both a critical and box office disappointment. The film had already faced criticism for its casting choices and decision to use CGI dwarves, further adding to its troubled release.

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