— News and Commentary —

Gal Gadot Wears Dress By Lebanese Designer. Outrage Erupts.

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Jan 12, 2018 DailyWire.com

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Israeli superstar actress Gal Gadot is once again the target of outrage because of her national origin.

Gadot wore a dress designed by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab to the National Board of Review awards in New York on Tuesday, where she appeared along with “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins to be recognized for their work on the 2017 box office hit.

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When Saab’s team posted an image to Instagram of the “flawless” Gadot in the dress, some Lebanese journalists denounced the designer for promoting “an ex Israeli soldier.”

“I’m not going to ask why she would she wear Elie Saab…but I’m asking why would his team post it?!!!!!!. Unacceptable!” wrote Al Jadeed TV producer Farah Shami in response to the Instagram post. Shami also posted a complaint on Twitter:

I don’t have a problem with her wearing @ElieSaabWorld but I do have a problem with posting her picture from Elie Saab’s account and bragging about an ex Israeli soldier wearing his dress! Don’t ruin one the few things that make us proud Lebanese people! Elie Saab makes us proud. pic.twitter.com/V5VGpDyS8o
— Farah Shami (@FarahShamii) January 10, 2018

Lebanese journalist Heba Bitar echoed Shami’s complaints and got into a back and forth with people on Twitter.

من زمان بحب وبحترم ايلي صعب، بس يعني كتير فرحان انو في ممثلة إسرائيلية لبست فستان من عندو؟ @ElieSaabWorld pic.twitter.com/dvJ1LJnV4H
— Heba Bitar (@HebaBitar) January 10, 2018

Under pressure, Saab eventually deleted the Instagram post, which both Shami and Bitar made sure to note, along with journalist Lana Medawar:

Post removed!
— Lana Medawar (@MedawarLana) January 10, 2018

Yes I know, I posted the update too 🙂
— Heba Bitar (@HebaBitar) January 10, 2018

It’s not about who did a bigger mistake, Elie Saab team praised Gal Gadot in their post too, yet they were smart enough to remove the post when people started commenting. Anyway they should be more cautious.
— Heba Bitar (@HebaBitar) January 10, 2018

Gadot has been the target of criticism in the past for her Israeli heritage and bold support of her country, with many anti-Israel voices slamming her as a “Zionist.” Lebanon even banned the showing of “Wonder Woman” because of the Israeli star.

But Gadot also has a lot of supporters, as was evidenced in the Saab dress controversy. A few examples of fans of both Gadot and Saab and defenders of Israel responding to the journalists’ complaints:

It’s a legal requirement to join the army if you’re an able adult there. Also, you believe noone who just so happened to be born in Israel, and has literally nothing to do with the politics, shouldn’t be allowed to succeed, because of their country of birth? Woop sounds racist
— Beth Amazonian Cosplay (@amazoniancos) January 11, 2018

Really? Farah? You are criticizing a celebrity who has never gone on record against the Lebanese people. And you are criticizing a world famous designer. For what? For showing the “good” that Lebanon that Lebanon has to offer? Cntd
— Joey Epic (@JoeyEpix) January 11, 2018

Get over it. Elie Saab is a global brand and you should be proud that. Obviously the picture was posted because Gadot is a major celebrity and not because she was in the Israeli army. Elie Saab makes me proud to be Lebanese; people like you not so much.
— sami (@smi1i) January 12, 2018

It is a shame that there are narrow minded people like you that spew negativity in your journalism. Gal Gadot and Elie Saab are not at war. They’re are showing that Israel and Lebanon can be places where fashion, culture and beauty exists.
— Joey Epic (@JoeyEpix) January 11, 2018

Seriously? Listen to yourself.
— Richard Bowdler (@RichardHenryB) January 11, 2018

What century is this?
— M.O.M. (@nrasmuss) January 12, 2018

Get over yourself it’s attitudes like that that continue the cycle of hate and distrust.
— Kelnor (@Kelnorxv) January 11, 2018

Be proud of being a man of peace. Be proud of accepting the very existence of Israel, the only real democracy of the Middle East. Be proud the day you kick terror group Hezbollah out of your nation, and make it a democracy again. Stop hatred.
— Pierre-REHOV (@PRehov) January 12, 2018

FACT: Palestinians are NOT allowed to buy property in Lebanon. Who is the apartheid state?! Not Israel. #bdsfail #maga #maga2018 #IStandWithIsrael https://t.co/mt9g3U1z4h
— Violet Arkarian (@arkarian_violet) January 12, 2018

I remember 40 years ago when Lebanon was part of the civilized world contributing art and life rather than a terrorist haven bringing only death and hate! #whereisLebanon
— Marc Lawson (@166Factor) January 12, 2018

H/T BBC News

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