On Tuesday, a group of pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside the Hollywood premiere of Captain America: Brave New World, voicing their opposition to the film due to the inclusion of the Israeli superhero Sabra, also known as Ruth Bat-Seraph, portrayed by actress Shira Haas. The protestors held signs with messages such as “Sabra has got to go,” “Disney supports genocide,” “Boycott ‘Captain America,’” and even “Pray 4 Princess Jasmine.” They chanted slogans like “Free, free, free Palestine” and “Disney, Disney, you can’t hide,” drawing attention to their concerns about the character’s portrayal and its potential implications. The demonstration highlighted the ongoing sensitivity surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its intersection with popular culture.
The controversy over Sabra began in 2022 when Marvel announced the character’s inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the comics, Sabra is a Mossad agent, Israel’s national intelligence agency, and her backstory is deeply rooted in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This sparked immediate backlash from Palestinian fans and advocates, who accused Marvel of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and ignoring the complexities of the issue. In response, Marvel issued a statement to Variety, reassuring fans that the film would take a “new approach” to the character. The studio emphasized that while Sabra’s origins in the comics date back over 40 years, the filmmakers were reimagining her for modern audiences. The statement aimed to calm concerns, but the debate over Sabra’s portrayal continued to grow.
In February, Nate Moore, a producer on Brave New World, addressed the controversy further. He clarified that Sabra would not be depicted as a Mossad agent in the film, as she is in the comics, but instead would work within the U.S. government. Moore explained that Sabra’s role in the movie would revolve around her connection to President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford, and her interactions with other characters like Sam Wilson, aka Captain America. “She’s first-generation Israeli, but she works within the U.S. government,” Moore said, highlighting the effort to distance her character from her Mossad roots. However, this change did little to ease the concerns of protestors, who argue that Sabra’s presence in the film still carries problematic connotations, regardless of her revised backstory.
Sabra’s introduction in Marvel Comics dates back to the early 1980s, when she first appeared in an issue of The Incredible Hulk. Even then, her character was divisive, as her storylines waded into the highly charged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her presence in the comics was seen by some as Marvel taking a side in the ongoing dispute, a criticism that has resurfaced with her inclusion in Brave New World. The character’s history in the comics has often been criticized for oversimplifying the conflict and perpetuating negative stereotypes about Palestinians. This legacy of controversy has made Sabra’s inclusion in the MCU a flashpoint for discussions about representation, diversity, and cultural sensitivity in media.
The protestors outside the premiere were not only criticizing Sabra’s inclusion but also calling for broader accountability from Disney and Marvel. They argued that the company’s decision to include the character reflects a lack of understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on Palestinian communities. The signs and chants highlighted themes of solidarity with Palestine and a demand for more nuanced representation in Hollywood. The protest also drew attention to the growing movement to hold media corporations accountable for how they portray sensitive political issues. For many, the inclusion of Sabra felt like a step backward in an industry that has been pushing for greater diversity and inclusion.
As the controversy surrounding Brave New World continues, it raises important questions about the role of media in shaping perceptions of complex issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Marvel has attempted to address concerns by reimagining Sabra’s character, the backlash highlights the challenges of adapting comics with deeply rooted political histories for modern audiences. The protest outside the premiere serves as a reminder that storytelling in Hollywood does not exist in a vacuum; it has the power to influence perceptions and spark conversations about real-world issues. Whether Marvel’s new approach to Sabra will resonate with audiences and critics remains to be seen, but the debate surrounding her inclusion underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and representation in media.
