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In the movie, Shira Haas’s character has lost her Israeli origins and is now reimagined as a Russian-born former Black Widow.
By Shiryn Ghermezian, Algemeiner
After the debut of the teaser trailer for “Captain America: Brave New World” on Friday, Marvel Studios released the first official synopsis for the 2025 film, and it shares more information on the character played by Israeli actress Shira Haas.
In was initially announced in 2022 that the Emmy-nominated Haas would play in the upcoming film an Israeli superhero named Sabra, whose real name is Ruth Bat-Seraph.
The character, who first appeared in “The Incredible Hulk” comic book in 1980, is an Israeli mutant who is an agent for the Mossad, Israel’s spy agency.
In the comics, she wore a blue and white outfit featuring a Star of David and had superpowers like superhuman strength, speed, a regenerative healing power, and the ability to charge others by transferring her life energy to them.
However, according to the film’s new synopsis provided by Marvel, Haas’s character has no connection to Israel at all and her name “Sabra” will not be used.
Her background as an Israeli agent has also been changed and now she is a “Black Widow” of Russian origin, similar to characters played by Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh in other Marvel projects.
It also appears that she might not have any super powers in the film, directed by Julius Onah.
“New to the cast is Shira Haas, who joins as Ruth Bat-Seraph. A former Black Widow, Ruth is now a high-ranking US government official who has the trust of President Ross,” read the synopsis.
The film also stars Anthony Mackie as Captain America and Harrison Ford, making his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as newly elected US President Thaddeus Ross.
Since 2022, there have been calls to boycott the film because of Haas’s participation and the inclusion of an Israeli character, even after Marvel openly said it would change Sabra’s backstory.
Marvel said at the time: “While our characters and stories are inspired by the comics, they are always freshly imagined for the screen and today’s audience, and the filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago.”
Those who are criticizing “Captain America: Brave New World,” even more so after the teaser trailer was released on Friday, include both pro-Israel supporters, who are upset that the character now works in the interest of the US instead of Israel, and anti-Israel activists, who want to boycott the film due to the character’s Israeli roots.
“BRING SABRA BACK!!” a pro-Israel supporter wrote in response to the teaser trailer that Mackie posted on Instagram.
Another wrote, “Sabra is a specific character, it’s not yours to change. Not 44 years after they created her. Let her be her.”
“Why would anyone watch this trash when you’ve added an IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldier character! Talk about propaganda machine!” wrote one social media user on Sunday who was commenting on a separate post on Mackie’s Instagram page. Another wrote, “Why is there an Israeli soldier in this movie??? They are literally posting their war crimes on social media??” A third social media user said, “I can’t wait to avoid this with its zio ‘hero.’”
Captain America: Brave New World” premieres in theaters on Feb. 14, 2025.
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