BDS Calls for Disney's 'Snow White' Boycott Over Israeli Star Gal Gadot, Despite Pro-Palestine Actress Rachel Zegler’s Leading Role in Film

The global Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement is ramping up its campaign against Israeli-linked projects, now targeting Disney’s upcoming "Snow White" due to the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. 

The casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot in Disney’s "Snow White" has ignited a firestorm of controversy. 

Gadot, a vocal supporter of Israeli policies, has drawn sharp criticism from pro-Palestinian advocates and BDS activists. They argue that her role in the film signifies a troubling endorsement of Israeli actions against Palestinians. 

Fans familiar with Gadot’s outspoken nationalist views argue that her casting aligns the film with a political stance that neglects Palestinian suffering. The controversy intensified after Gadot publicly endorsed Israel in a statement on October 8, 2023, declaring, “I stand with Israel.” 

"BOYCOTT the Snow White movie!" a social media user demanded, condemning the casting of Gal Gadot. The post, shared under the #FreePalestine hashtag, labeled the Israeli actress a "trained killer" from the "degenerate" Israeli forces and urged followers to never allow "Zionist terrorists" to be normalized. 

Another wrote: "The thing about Gal Gadot being cast as an evil queen is that she doesn’t have to act," one social media user wrote, with another adding "reminder to boycott the Snow White movie for Palestine." 

In November, Gadot hosted a private screening of a 47-minute Israeli documentary, produced by the Israeli Defense Forces, for Hollywood celebrities. 

Co-Star Rachel Zegler’s Pro-Palestinian Stance Adds Complexity to the Debate 

Complicating the situation further is the involvement of Rachel Zegler, who stars as Snow White. 

Zegler’s vocal support for Palestinian rights has won her backing from various advocates. However, critics are highlighting a dilemma for her fans, who are torn between supporting her role in the film and grappling with Gadot’s conflicting views. 

Zegler’s commitment to Palestinian rights began in May 2021, when she tweeted, “It will always be free Palestine,” in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. 

The Snow White controversy goes beyond the film, reflecting a larger discussion about the intersection of entertainment and politics. 

Movie critics highlight the significant role celebrities play in influencing public opinion and the ethical responsibilities of media companies in their casting decisions. 

Gadot is not the first celebrity targeted for her loyalty to Israel amid the conflict. American Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu had to cancel three concerts in the U.S. earlier this year due to threats from anti-Israel protests, even though he is not Israeli.