Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee call for boycott against Snow White 

by | Apr 18, 2025

With the release of Marc Webbs’ Snow White, the Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee call for a boycott of the film starring former Israeli military officer, Gal Gadot. 

  • Wits PSC call to boycott Snow White due to the casting of Gal Gadot, former IDF officer.
  • SAUJS member says that the boycott is “harmful” and “discriminatory”.
  • PSC supporter says the action is not about the film, it’s about not supporting someone who participated in genocide.

At the end of March 2025, the Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) took to Instagram and called on supporters to boycott director Marc Webbs’ film, Snow White, starring Gal Gadot, former member of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Palestine Solidarity Alliance (@psa_sa)

This cinematic protest call follows the 20-year Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) Campaign in support of Palestine.  

According to the official BDS website the campaign is “inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law … Israel maintains a regime of settler colonialism, apartheid, and occupation over the Palestinian people. This is only possible because of international support … the world help[s] Israel to oppress Palestinians.”  

Jacob Boner of the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) at Wits, says that “SAUJS stance on the BDS led boycott of films due to actor’s [Gal Gadot] political views is harmful.”  

He further explained that they believe, “these are not boycotts against entities such as governments and corporations, but against individuals, boycotting a movie because it has an Israeli actress in it is tantamount to persecuting her for her religion and is thus discriminatory.”  

In contrast, Wits student and PSC supporter Sameera Karolia, says that she, “completely and unapologetically support[s] the BDS led boycott of Snow White and all projects involving Gal Gadot […] by proudly supporting Israel’s war, she [Gadot] is complicit in the violence and ongoing oppression of Palestinian people.  

“This isn’t about judging a film, it’s about refusing to support people who are complicit in genocide.” 

In the conversation around the boycott of Snow White, it is also significant to note that the lead of the film, Rachel Zelger, is an outspoken supporter of Palestine, but there has been no call to boycott the film by Zionist movements.  

To this, Boner says, “unlike the harmful BDS movement we do not endorse boycotts of art based solely on an individual’s identity or beliefs, we believe that opening engagement and dialogue is the way forward – not the demonisation of an entire group of people and their beliefs.” 

When asked if Zegler’s stance would impact her decision to boycott, Karolia said, “No, it does not. The boycott targets Snow White because of Disney’s deliberate decision to platform and profit a vocal Zionist, who has actively participated in Israel’s genocide – both as a former IDF member and through her public statements.”  

Discussing what message the boycott sends, Karolia said that it, “sends a message that entertainment isn’t worth moral compromises.”  

Whether choosing to boycott the film or not, one cannot argue that film – and all art for that matter – is apolitical. Art and, significantly, film – considering its reach – has the ability to send messages globally. The act of endorsing or boycotting is a personal decision that demands accountability.  

FEATURED IMAGE: Snow white (2025) cover. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_(2025_film)

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