AT LAST YEAR'S D23 EXPO, DISNEY announced a new character would be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe-Israeli superhero Sabra.
Debuting onscreen in 2024's Captain America: New World Order alongside Anthony Mackie, Sabra's inclusion was immeditely controversial. However, the war between Israel and Hamas has intensified the issue and created more potential pitfalls for the studio.
On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which subsequently launched airstrikes on Gaza. At least 1,400 people had been killed in Israel as of November 3, while more than 9,000 had been killed in Gaza, according to the Associated Press.
"The Sabra character, when juxtaposed with Captain America, unavoidably amplifies nationalist and political ideologies and convictions and could inadvertently exacerbate tensions in the Middle East," Deepak Sarma, professor at the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, tells Newsweek.
Can the character be portrayed in a way that doesn't ruffle feathers?
Born in Israel
Sabra first popped up in an issue of The Incredible Hulk in 1980. A mutant with enhanced strength and speed, she is also an agent for Mossad, the real-life Israeli secret service. The character's real name is Ruth Bat-Seraph, while her code name Sabra means "a person born in Israel."
In Captain America: New World Order, Sabra will be played by Shira Haas. The 28-year-old Israeli actress is best known for starring in the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox.
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin November 17, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin November 17, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
The Fight To Ban Child Marriage
Under-18s can legally wed in most U.S. states but young spouses are often left physically, emotionally and economically vulnerable, campaigners say
Major League Error
Why baseball fans have long thought Ty Cobb to be a racist when he wasn't
The TikTok Election
With both Donald Trump and Joe Biden now on the app, could it help determine the next U.S. president in November?
Failure to Deliver
Multinational companies embraced Chinese factories to lower costs. Their excessive reliance ended up being a central cause of the COVID supply chain meltdown
BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.
SURGEONS MAGIC TOUCH
Americans turn down syringes but go UNDER SCALPELS. What do these doctors know that the rest of medicine doesn't?
ARABIAIAN MIGHT
SAUDI ARABIA'S INCREASING STRENGTH MEANS IT NOW HAS MUCH MORE CLOUT WITH ITS PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE U.S.
Bringing Trump's Trial to Life
Sketch artist Isabelle Brourman tells Newsweek what it was like covering the former president’s court case
Iran Examines the Nuclear Option
Tehran’s rhetoric could spark an arms race in the Middle East like never before
Climate Conviction at What Price?
Fifty years ago experts doubted Americans would pay to save the environment. Only some of their fears are still true
