Marvel: Controversy over superheroine Sabra in Captain America 4

Last week, Marvel announced that Israeli actress Shira Haas, a Golden Globe nominee for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Unorthodox, has joined the cast of Captain America: The New World Order. The latter will play the role of an Israeli mutant, Sabra, who has become a super agent of Mossad, the Israeli secret service.

Sabra, whose real name is Ruth Bat-Seraph, first appeared in the comics Incredible Hulk Vol 1 #250 In August 1980, the character was created by screenwriter Bill Mantlo and cartoonist Sal Buscema. The superhero wears a white suit with a blue Star of David on the chest.

The character’s inclusion in the comics has long been controversial, and so has his involvement in the films.

Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty InternationalIt is feared that by introducing Sabra, the MCU will appear to glorify Israel. The Institute for Middle East Understanding, a pro-Palestinian organization based in the United States, criticizes Sabra’s character particularly because “Glory be to the Israeli army and police“.

The New York Times He explains that the name “Sabra” itself has a different meaning. “For Israeli Jews, a sabra can simply be someone born in Israel. But Sabra is also the name of a refugee camp in Lebanon where Christian militias killed hundreds of Palestinians while Israeli troops remained there 40 years ago..”

Faced with the scale of the backlash from pro-Palestinian organizations and the launch of #CaptainApartheid, who accuse Marvel of Zionist propaganda, the studio spoke out under Kevin Feige.

in the press release issued by varietyMarvel says:Although our characters and stories are inspired by the comics, they are still reimagined for today’s screens and audiences, and the filmmakers are taking a fresh approach to the character of Sabra, who first appeared in the comics more than 40 years ago..”

So the studio has to take a new approach to include this superhero in the Julius Ona movie that is currently being written. Directed by Anthony Mackie, with costumes and shields by Chris Evans, the feature film is slated to hit theaters on May 1, 2024.