The Lebanese Ministry of Economy wants to ban “Wonder Woman” because the protagonist, Gal Gadot, is Israeli, but has not yet made a formal request, a Lebanese security official said on Tuesday.
The ban would require a recommendation in that regard by a commission of six ministries, but that process has not yet begun, said the agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
The Wonder Woman movie preview is set for Wednesday in at least one room in Beirut. The spectacular notices of the film have appeared all over the city.
Lebanon is officially at war with Israel. A law in force for decades prohibits the sale of Israeli products, as well as travel of Lebanese citizens to the Jewish state or contacts with Israelis.
A group called the Boycott Campaign to Israel-Lebanon Supporters has spoken out against the film’s display. A message on his Facebook page praised the ministry’s position. He further states that Gadot was a soldier of the Israeli army and has expressed his support for Israel’s military policy against the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory ruled by the Hamas.
In a widely shared message on his Facebook page, Gadot praised the Israeli military during the war with Gaza in 2014 and prayed for Israeli soldiers “who risk their lives to protect my country from horrendous acts by Hamas.”
Authorities at the Lebanese Ministry of Economy did not immediately respond to requests for statements. The security official said the final decision was up to the Interior Minister after receiving the recommendation from the six ministries.
