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A forthcoming Netflix drama has become the center of controversy following the release of its trailer, with social media users calling for boycotts over its cast of Israeli actors while displaying fundamental misunderstandings about history.
The release of the trailer for “Mary,” featuring Israeli performers Noa Cohen, Ori Pfeffer, and Ido Tako, has sparked intense online criticism. The controversy centers particularly on Cohen’s portrayal of the Virgin Mary, despite historical records establishing Mary’s Jewish identity.
Critics of the film have made historically inaccurate claims about the religious identity of New Testament figures, with some asserting that Mary and Jesus were Palestinians. Historians note that Palestinian is not a religious identity, and the figures depicted were Jews.
Witness her courage, her strength and her faith. MARY premieres December 6. pic.twitter.com/TM9JjEzZV7
— Netflix (@netflix) November 12, 2024
Some responses have escalated to threats of violence, with one user suggesting that casting an Israeli as Mary warranted death threats. Other comments called for boycotts and included explicit antisemitic language. One user wrote, “Half the cast is Israeli, including Cohen who plays Mary. Looks like s*** anyway, but needless to say avoid this like the plague.”
Below are tweets from Palestinian supporters, and anti-semites
there’s a new Netflix film about the Virgin Mary, a Palestinian woman, and she’s being played by a zionist Israeli. The cast includes IOF soldiers, too.
and of course, a few white British folks for good measure.
what an absolute pile of shite.
— Shay I I I 🇵🇸 (@ShayC1993) November 13, 2024
There is something profoundly offensive about having an Israeli actor play Mary, the mother of Jesus, while Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, killing some of the oldest Christian communities in the world and erasing their heritage sites. https://t.co/Vk6O7659Ak
— John P (@Johnpatrick500) November 13, 2024
This is such an insult to christians, while Israel is commiting genocide & bombing churches.
The role of the Virgin Mary in the new Netflix movie is played by an Israeli, Noa Cohen.
The cast also includes several other Israeli actors.#BoycottNetflix pic.twitter.com/C8TYxiRWyj
— Carole Tahan (@ctahan) November 14, 2024
The film chronicles Mary’s journey as an unwed mother facing societal rejection. Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins portrays King Herod of Judea, who leads a deadly pursuit of Mary and her child, forcing them into hiding alongside Joseph.
published originally by Israel Hayom additional editing TJV
These “critics” are completely ignorant of the fact that during that time period there was no such entity known as Palestine, and to make a comment otherwise shows a complete lack of education and ignorance. So are they saying now that Palestinians were “Christian”, even before the Religion was created? Talk about stupidity. Sorry, I am not this strong usually about my comments but this idiocy needs to stop immediately.