Connect with us

RSS

Marvel Strips Shira Haas’s Israeli Character of All Ties to Israel in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

Shira Haas in the new trailer for “Captain America: Brave New World.” Photo: YouTube screenshot

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.

The post Marvel Strips Shira Haas’s Israeli Character of All Ties to Israel in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

Continue Reading

RSS

Washington Warns UK, France Against Recognizing Palestinian Statehood

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaves Downing Street, following the results of the election, in London, Britain, July 5, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville

i24 NewsThe United States has warned the UK and France not to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at a UN conference scheduled for June 17 in New York, the Middle East Eye reported Tuesday.

France and Saudi Arabia will co-host this conference on the two-state solution, with Paris reportedly preparing to unilaterally recognize Palestine. France is also pressuring London to follow this path, according to sources from the British Foreign Office.

French media reports indicate that French authorities believe they have the agreement of the British government. Meanwhile, Arab states are encouraging this move, measuring the success of the conference by the recognitions obtained.

This initiative deeply divides Western allies. If France and the UK were to carry out this recognition, they would become the first G7 nations to take this step, causing a “political earthquake” according to observers, given their historical ties with Israel. The Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer threatened last week to annex parts of the West Bank if this recognition took place, according to a report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary David Lammy publicly opposes unilateral recognition, stating that London would only recognize a Palestinian state when we know that it is going to happen and that it is in view.

However, pressure is mounting within the Labour Party. MP Uma Kumaran, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said that the government was elected on a platform that promised to recognize Palestine as a step towards a just and lasting peace. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, believes that there is no legitimate reason for the United States to interfere in a sovereign decision of recognition, while highlighting the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump on this issue.

The post Washington Warns UK, France Against Recognizing Palestinian Statehood first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

Continue Reading

RSS

Police, Shin Bet Thwart Suspected Iranian Attempt Perpetrate Terror Attack

A small number of Jewish worshipers pray during the priestly blessing, a traditional prayer which usually attracts thousands of worshipers at the Western Wall on the holiday of Passover during 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 12, 2020. Photo: Reuters / Ronen Zvulun.

i24 NewsThe Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police thwarted another Iranian attempt to recruit Israelis, according to a statement on Tuesday, arresting a resident of East Jerusalem for allegedly carrying out missions for the Islamic Republic.

Iranian agents recruited the suspect, who in turn recruited members of his family. He is a resident of the Isawiya neighborhood in his 30s, and is accused of maintaining contact with a hostile foreign entity to harm the state by carrying out a terrorist attack against Jews.

The suspect had already begun perpetrating acts of sabotage and espionage, including collecting intelligence about areas in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and Mahane Yehuda Market. He also hung signs, burned Israeli army uniforms, and more in exchange for payment totaling thousands of shekels.

He was also charged with planning a terror attack in central Israel, including setting fire to a forest, and was told to transfer weapons to terrorist elements in the West Bank.

The suspect’s sought the help of family members, including his mother. A search at his home revealed sums of cash, a spray can used in some of his activities, airsoft guns, suspected illegal drugs, and more.

His indictment is expected to be filed by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office.

The statement said that the case is yet another example of Iranian efforts to recruit Israelis. “We will continue to coordinate efforts to thwart terrorism and terrorist elements, including those operating outside Israel, while attempting to mobilize local elements in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” the Shin Bet and Police said.

The post Police, Shin Bet Thwart Suspected Iranian Attempt Perpetrate Terror Attack first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

Continue Reading

RSS

Pro-Russian, Anti-Israeli Hackers Pose Biggest Cybercrime Threats in Germany

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt holds a chart showing the development of antisemitic crime, during a press conference on Figures for Politically Motivated Crime in the Country, in Berlin, Germany, May 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

Cybercrime in Germany rose to a record level last year, driven by hacker attacks from pro-Russian and anti-Israeli groups, the BKA Federal Crime Office reported on Tuesday as the government said it would boost countermeasures to combat it.

“Cybercrime is an increasing threat to our security,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. “It is getting more aggressive but our counter-strategies are also becoming more professional,” he said.

Some 131,391 cases of cybercrime took place in Germany last year and a further 201,877 cases were committed from abroad or an unknown location, a BKA report said.

The actors behind the hacker attacks on German targets were primarily either pro-Russian or anti-Israeli, said the BKA, adding targets were mostly public and federal institutions.

Ransomware, when criminals copy and encrypt data, is one of the main threats, said the BKA, with 950 companies and institutes reporting cases in 2024.

German digital association Bitkom said damage caused by cyberattacks here totaled 178.6 billion euros ($203.87 billion) last year, some 30.4 billion euros more than in the previous year.

Dobrindt said the government planned to extend the legal capabilities authorities could use to combat cybercrime and set higher security standards for companies.

The post Pro-Russian, Anti-Israeli Hackers Pose Biggest Cybercrime Threats in Germany first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2017 - 2023 Jewish Post & News