Marvel has been very particular nowadays in the inclusion of varied ethnicities and diversifying their superheroes. In that order, we got Black Panther, Shang-Chi, and Ms. Marvel. Following them, Marvel introduced the first Israeli Superhero, Sabra, which has gotten a lot of uproar on Twitter.
A film by Marvel, ‘Captain America: New World Order’, is scheduled to be released in 2024. The film will star Israeli actress Shira Haas as Sabra, the first Israeli Superhero ever in the world. After this announcement, Twitter was bombarded with tags and retweets, if you think these are reactions of joy then you are in for a major bemusement.
What Is The Issue Behind The Introduction Of The First Israeli Superhero?
Shira Hass as Sabra is the first Israel Superhero to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She was recognized across the world for her acting in the internationally acclaimed series, ‘Shtisel‘, which was featured on Netflix.
Sabra was first introduced in the Marvel comics in the 1980s. She is a former spy of the Israeli security agency Mossad. Her birthplace is Jerusalem, Israel. However, she was raised in a special ‘Kibbutz‘ by the government. This is to nurture her special abilities, including super speed and strength. In the comics, it was depicted that she used her powers for the service of the state.
The problematic issue with the introduction of Sabra in Marvel is the name itself. Sabra is also the name of a Palestinian refugee camp. In 1982, in this camp, Sabra and Shatila Massacre took place, and over 3,500 civilians were killed, who were mostly Palestinians and Lebanese. The refugees who resided in the camp were Palestinians, who were forced to flee the country due to conflict with Israel.
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Twitter Uproar Against The Israeli Superhero Sabra
Of course, Palestinians are going to be unhappy about this new Israeli superhero. Throughout her appearances in numerous Marvel comics, she appeared in an outfit, predominantly inspired by the design of the Israeli flag. She also carried weapons typically possessed by the members of the Israeli army. This has caused a huge uproar all over the world.
One twitter user tweeted, “Something I never thought I’d tweet, but Marvel calling an Israeli superhero “Sabra” is because Jews born in the region have been referred to as “Sabras” (a local fruit, prickly on the outside, soft on the inside) since the 30s. It’s not referencing the Sabra & Shatila massacre.”
Although many tweeted in support of Marvel stating that the name is not intended against Palestinians, still many voiced their disappointment. One of the most avid points made by one user was that even if Marvel had not intended on the massacre, just hearing that name would have made anyone remember the Sabra Shatilla massacre.
The new marvel superhero is an Israeli mossad agent named Sabra. Can someone explain to me why they keep using the name Sabra? The first thing pretty much every Palestinian remembers when we read or hear Sabra,is the massacre of Sabra Shatilla, it feels deliberate
— 𓂆 Demographic Threat 𓂆 🇵🇸 𓂆 (@ynPaliAmerican) September 11, 2022
throw that whole movie away i’m so serious, there’s no way they made that happen, also announcing it in the month of the 40th anniversary of the sabra and shatila massacre? big fck you marvel https://t.co/FbbcrT87jM
— ًً (@djarinculture) September 11, 2022
Something I never thought I’d tweet, but Marvel calling an Israeli superhero “Sabra” is because Jews born in the region have been referred to as “Sabras” (a local fruit, prickly on the outside, soft on the inside) since the 30s. It’s not referencing the Sabra & Shatila massacre. pic.twitter.com/gryr7UIj03
— Daniel Sugarman (@Daniel_Sugarman) September 12, 2022
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