Pro-Palestine Protesters Gathered at ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Los Angeles Premiere
The Hollywood premiere of Captain America: Brave New World faced protests on Tuesday as pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the event, calling for a boycott of the film. The controversy centers around the inclusion of the Israeli superhero Sabra, played by Shira Haas.
Protesters held signs with messages like “Sabra has got to go,” “Disney supports genocide,” and “Boycott Captain America.” They also chanted slogans such as “Free, free, free Palestine” and “Disney, Disney, you can’t hide.”
Sabra, also known as Ruth Bat-Seraph, originally appeared in The Incredible Hulk comics in the early 1980s. In those stories, she was portrayed as a Mossad agent, which has long made her a divisive figure in discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When Marvel announced in 2022 that the character would be part of Brave New World, it sparked an immediate backlash from Palestinian supporters.
In response to the criticism, Marvel clarified that Sabra’s portrayal in the film would be different from the comics. “While our characters and stories are inspired by the comics, they are always freshly imagined for the screen and today’s audience,” the company said in a statement. “The filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra, who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago.”
Producer Nate Moore later explained that Sabra’s role had been reworked. “She’s not Mossad in the film,” he said, emphasizing that she works for the U.S. government instead. According to Moore, the character is connected to President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford, and her perspective creates conflict with Sam Wilson’s Captain America.
Sabra’s presence in the movie has reignited a debate that began decades ago when she first appeared in the comics. With the controversy surrounding her inclusion, Brave New World is already drawing strong reactions ahead of its release.
What do you think about the protests and the changes to Sabra’s character? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
