The Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities confirmed today that upcoming film Wonder Woman—the latest entry in the DC Cinematic Universe—has been banned in the country, after calls for the ban reached a pitch yesterday.
The ban is in part due to Lebanon's ongoing war with Israel; Lebanon considers Israel an enemy country and has banned Israeli products from entering.
Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot is Israeli, and has served in the Israeli Defence Forces. In 2014, she expressed support for the Israeli bombing of Gaza, in which around 2000 Palestinians—most of them civilians—were killed over a 50 day period: “I am sending my love and prayers to my fellow Israeli citizens,” she had written in a Facebook post. “Especially to all the boys and girls who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas, who are hiding like cowards behind women and children...We shall overcome!!! Shabbat Shalom!”
#WonderWoman has been banned in #Lebanon.
— Grand Cinemas (@GCLebanon) May 31, 2017
The ban was based on a recommendation from the general security directorate. It prompted cancellations of advance screenings of the film a few hours ahead of their scheduled showings.
Israel invaded Lebanon as part of its fight with Hezbollah in 2006. The war killed appriximately 250 Hezbollah fighters, but over a thousand Lebanese civilians. In contrast, 121 Israeli soldiers fell; Israeli civilian casualties totalled 44.
A UN-monitored ceasefire has largely been observed in the decade since.
