Arab Groups Launch Boycott of Disney’s ‘Snow White’ over Gal Gadot’s Israeli Ties
Israeli actress Gal Gadot is facing an online boycott from several Arab groups opposed to Israel following the release of Disney's "Snow White" live-action film, where she plays the role of the Evil Queen. The groups, including the Jordanian Organization for Resistance Support and Anti-Normalization, the Bahraini Association for Resistance to Normalization, and Cinema Professionals Against Normalization, accused Gadot, a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier, and other Israelis of "whitewashing the occupation."
"Boycott normalization, boycott 'Snow White.' Former soldier Gal Gadot represents nothing but the occupation and its terror. We reject any attempt to whitewash the occupation through art. Join our digital storm against 'Snow White' and send a clear message — supporters of the occupation have no place among us," the groups said in a joint letter.
They argued that screening "Snow White" in the Arab world means "promoting a company that supports the occupation and helping to rehabilitate the image of a former soldier in an army committing the worst crimes against our Arab people."
Moreover, the letter claimed that "the occupation has always sought to infiltrate our audience through screens to whitewash its crimes, using artists and actors to break psychological barriers and end its imposed isolation."
According to The Christian Post, the campaign also called for a boycott of all movies with Israeli actors and actresses.
"Films starring Israeli actors directly contribute to the occupation's goals. We urge cinema owners not to screen it, in line with public opposition to any form of cultural and artistic normalization. We call on the free public to boycott the film and Disney."
In a separate boycott campaign, the Kuwait Democratic Youth Union urged cinemas to ban "Snow White" because Gadot stars in the film. Kuwait previously banned the movie "Death on the Nile" in 2022 because Gadot played the leading female role.
Gadot, who gained recognition for her role as "Wonder Woman," reportedly faced tensions with actress Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular role in "Snow White."
In a recent tribute to the actors and crew of "Snow White," Zegler, who has previously voiced anti-Israel sentiments during the Hamas-initiated Gaza war, omitted Gadot. However, it remains unclear whether Zegler's omission of Gadot in her tribute was intentional since Gadot was of Israeli-Jewish descent.
Earlier this month, Gadot denounced hatred against the Jewish people in a powerful speech in New York City.
"My name is Gal, I am Jewish, and we have had enough of this hate," she stated. The Israeli-born actress, who has increased her support for Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, vowed to continue combating antisemitism while not allowing antisemites to define or defeat the Jewish people."
"We will confront antisemitism, we will call it out, but we will never let it defeat us – or define us," Gadot said. "Because our love is stronger than their hate."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Amy Sussman/Staff
Originally published March 25, 2025.
