Qatar Bans ‘Wonder Woman’ Because Lead Actress Is Israeli
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — Qatar has become the third country to ban the screening of the movie “Wonder Woman” because lead actress Gal Gadot is Israeli.
The film had been scheduled to premiere in Qatar on Thursday, and was being promoted by local theater chains VOX Cinemas Qatar and Novo Cinemas. But in the days before its scheduled release the film was removed from cinema websites, Doha News reported.
The film currently is banned in Lebanon and Tunisia. Jordan’s Communications Commission initially banned the film and then allowed it to be screened “due to a lack of legal precedent.”
Gadot, 32, does not shy away from touting her Israeli heritage. She praised the Israeli military in a widely shared Facebook post during the 2014 Gaza War. She served in the Israeli army as a combat instructor during the 2006 Lebanon War.
The film has grossed over $700 million worldwide since its release, Forbes reported.
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
