Lebanon Bans Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Over Gal Gadot’s Role and Ongoing Israel Tensions

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White won’t be showing in Lebanon — not because of the film itself, but because Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen.

Lebanon’s Interior Minister, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, officially banned the movie after pressure from the country’s media censorship board. The reason? Gadot, who is Israeli, has long been on Lebanon’s official “Israel boycott list.” It’s not the first time this has happened. In fact, not a single movie starring Gadot has ever been released in Lebanese theaters. The recent ban comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with civilian casualties from cross-border strikes fueling anger and political action.

A rep from Italia Films, the Beirut-based distributor of Disney content in the Middle East, confirmed the ban to Variety. They also clarified that despite rumors, Snow White has not been banned in Kuwait.

Gadot served in the Israeli Defense Forces and has been outspoken in support of Israel — especially in the months following the October 7 Hamas attacks. During a March speech at the Anti-Defamation League summit in New York City, she condemned what she described as a global wave of silence and complicity in response to antisemitic violence. Her political stance and military background have made her a lightning rod in regions where Israel’s actions are viewed as aggressive or unjust.

This is not the first recent Disney or Marvel title to be banned in Lebanon. Just months ago, Captain America: Brave New World was blocked from release over the casting of Israeli actress Shira Haas.

Snow White, which stars Rachel Zegler in the lead role, is set for global release — but not in Beirut.