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The upcoming Snow White remake by Disney has found itself embroiled in controversy following the release of its trailer on YouTube on August 10. Gal Gadot’s role as the Evil Queen has sparked significant backlash, particularly among pro-Palestine supporters, who have called for a boycott of the film.

The movement has gained further momentum with the involvement of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which recently shared a thread on X urging people to boycott the film as a means of pressuring Disney.

Gal Gadot, the Israeli actor set to portray the Evil Queen, has been the focal point of criticism due to her vocal support of Israel. On October 8, 2023, Gadot posted “I stand with Israel” on Instagram and in November the Wonder Woman actor organised a special screening of a 47-minute Israeli propaganda docu-film provided by the Israeli Defence Force for Hollywood celebrities and other prominent figures.

Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White in the film, shared a message in support of Palestine earlier in August.

Zegler took to social media after the trailer’s release on August 10 to promote the film, and while doing so, she included a message advocating for Palestine. On X and Instagram, she thanked her fans for the “120 million views on our trailer in just 24 hours,” before following up with a second post that read, “Always remember, free Palestine.”

Zegler’s posts garnered significant attention, with the initial message receiving about 1.7 million views on X and her “free Palestine” follow-up amassing 7.7 million views on the micro-blogging site.

Pro-Palestine users have been calling for a boycott of Snow White since it was announced that Gadot has been cast as the Evil Queen. Calls for a boycott were reignited after the trailer released.

While many commend Zegler for her brave statement at the risk of her film flopping — with some even wishing to watch the film to support her — most agreed that the Snow White remake needs to be boycotted to send a clear message to Disney and all production houses in Hollywood.

This isn’t the first time Zegler has publicly supported the Palestinian cause. In May 2021, she posted on X, “It will always be free Palestine,” and has previously urged her followers to donate to Palestinian relief funds.

The controversy surrounding the film’s casting has cast a shadow over its March 21, 2025, release in the United States. As the debate continues to unfold online, it remains to be seen how Disney will navigate the growing tensions and the potential impact on the film’s reception.