Lebanon bans Snow White film over Gal Gadot's Israeli ties

Just when you thought Disney’s live-action Snow White had dealt with enough chaos—cue Rachel Zegler’s viral interviews and the online backlash—Lebanon has swooped in with a new plot twist. The country has officially banned the film, but here’s the kicker: it has absolutely nothing to do with Zegler’s hot takes.

Lebanon bans Snow White film over Gal Gadot's Israeli ties | Credit: X

Snow White is now banned in Lebanon because of Gal Gadot

The ban, according to Lebanese media, was personally signed off by Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar. The reason? Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen in the film, and who also happens to be on Lebanon’s long-standing “Israel boycott list.” Apparently, her very presence in a movie is enough to get it blacklisted in the country.

Lebanon bans Snow White film over Gal Gadot's Israeli ties | Credit: X

No film of Gal Gadot has ever been released in Lebanon

A rep from Italia Films, the Middle East distributor that handles Disney titles in the region, told Variety that this is not new. No film starring Gadot has ever been released in Lebanon, so this move was expected—though the timing, amidst rising regional tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, has added fuel to the fire.

Lebanon bans Snow White film over Gal Gadot's Israeli ties | Credit: X

The same rep clarified that unlike the internet rumours flying around, Snow White has not been banned in Kuwait. So, sorry Twitter, but that drama is a no-go.

Gal Gadot’s connection with Israel

Gal Gadot, who is known not just for her roles as Wonder Woman and now the Evil Queen, but also for her open support of Israel, has been a controversial figure in the Arab world. During a recent speech in New York, she reportedly expressed disbelief over the global response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, stating that what stunned her most was seeing people cheering on what she described as a massacre. This public stance, combined with her IDF past, makes her a no-show on Lebanese screens.

Gal Gadot films are banned in Lebanon | Credit: X

Lebanon banned Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World   

Interestingly, Lebanon also banned Marvel’s upcoming Captain America: Brave New World earlier this year because of another Israeli actress, Shira Haas. So, it seems that Lebanon has turned into a film critic—but strictly of the casting department.

As Snow White stumbles from one controversy to another, it seems the drama offscreen is getting more views than the film itself ever might.