Qatar bans new ‘Wonder Woman’ movie

Gal Gadot from a scene in "Wonder Woman." (AP)
Updated 30 June 2017
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Qatar bans new ‘Wonder Woman’ movie

JEDDAH: Qatar has banned the blockbuster movie “Wonder Woman,” according to local English language newspaper Doha News.
The film has received worldwide critical acclaim. But it has also caused outrage because the lead actress, Gal Gadot, is from Israel, and she has previously posted on social media messages supporting the country’s military action in Lebanon.
Earlier in June Lebanon and Tunisia banned the movie from being screened. But it currently remains on show at cinemas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Bahrain.
The film was due to premiere in Doha on Thursday, but any reference to “Wonder Woman” was removed from all cinema websites across the country.
On June 13, Vox were celebrating the countdown to the day the movie was due to premiere in the City:

But days later on June 28, the cinema chain Vox responded to queries, confirming it was no longer going to be shown.

Actress, Gadot, carried out her compulsory Israeli military service in 2006, which coincided with the Israeli war in Lebanon.
On Facebook she previously sent her “love and prayers to my fellow Israeli citizens. Especially to all the boys and girls who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas, who are hiding like cowards behind women and children…We shall overcome!!!”
Gadot also expressed support for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the 2014 Gaza conflict.

 


Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut

Updated 14 January 2026
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Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut

  • The court cut her sentence from five years to two, ‌making her eligible for ‌immediate release, ‌her ⁠brother ​told ‌Reuters

TUNIS: A Tunisian appeal court on Wednesday ordered the release of journalist Chatha ​BelHajj Mubarak, jailed since 2023 in a conspiracy case, after reducing her prison sentence, her family said.
The court cut her sentence from five years to two, ‌making her eligible for ‌immediate release, ‌her ⁠brother ​told ‌Reuters.
She was convicted in the so-called “Instalingo” case, which involved politicians, media figures and other defendants accused of conspiracy and financial crimes. BelHajj Mubarak denied the charges.
“Chatha ⁠is free and leaving prison,” ‌her brother, Amen BelHajj Mubarak, ‍said.
He said ‍her health had severely ‍deteriorated during her time in prison. She suffered serious complications, including significant hearing loss, and was diagnosed ​with cancer in detention, he added.
Tunisian authorities have said the ⁠case stems from judicial investigations into alleged financial and security-related offenses, and have rejected accusations by opposition groups that the prosecutions were politically motivated.
Tunisian prosecutors are pursuing a number of high-profile conspiracy cases involving politicians, journalists and activists. Several opposition ‌leaders have received lengthy prison terms.