Kuwait bans ‘Death on the Nile’ film over Israeli actress Gal Gadot

KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait will ban a new film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s whodunnit “Death on the Nile” with a cast of Hollywood stars including Israeli actress Gal Gadot, authorities said Sunday.

The film, directed by and co-starring Kenneth Branagh, is due for release this month in the United States.

The story is one of the most famous works of British author Christie, dubbed the “Queen of Crime.”

But moviegoers in Kuwait will not be able to watch it, information ministry spokeswoman Anouar Mourad told AFP, confirming press reports.

According to Kuwait’s Al-Qabas newspaper, the decision was made following demands on social media for the film to be banned.

Social media users pointed to Gadot’s praise of the Israeli army and her criticism of the Hamas terror group during the 2014 war in Gaza.

Gadot is best known for the lead role in the 2017 Hollywood blockbuster “Wonder Woman,” which was banned in some Arab countries due to her participation.

Kuwait is staunchly opposed to normalizing ties with Israel — unlike its Gulf neighbors the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which have signed peace deals with the Jewish state — and has long been a supporter of the Palestinian cause.