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.
RSS
After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
RSS
Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
RSS
Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.