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Marvel strips Jewish superhero Sabra of her Israeli identity

Outrage after film company turns the Jewish Sabra character into a former Russian spy

July 15, 2024 13:34
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Actress Shira Haas attends the photocall of the movie "Foxtrot" presented in competition at the 74th Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2017 at Venice Lido. / AFP PHOTO / Tiziana FABI (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)
2 min read

She has been described as the “great Jewish superhero”. 

Launched in 1980 into Marvel Comics’ superhero universe – itself created by American Jews – Sabra was the first superhuman agent created to serve the Mossad.

But this week Marvel Studios was accused of stripping Sabra of her Israeli identity, instead making her a Russia-linked agent in the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World.

The creation of a new, de-Zionised Sabra, played by Israeli actress Shira Haas, comes amid speculation that Marvel Studios has sought to avoid criticism from an audience bombarded by anti-Israel propaganda.