WASHINGTON, Marvel Studios, an American film and television production company founded by an Israeli-American businessman, came under attack for promoting Israel’s brutal attacks on and murder of Palestinians.

Marvel Studios announced that Captain America: New World Order will feature a character called Sabra, an Israeli police officer and spy for Mossad, the Israeli government agency responsible for killing and imprisoning thousands of Palestinians.

“The character’s disturbing origin story centers on the death of a Palestinian child, employing a slew of racist, anti-Muslim stereotypes and dehumanizing depictions of Palestinians—all while glorifying Israeli military violence,” said the US-based Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), a non-profit organization.

“Marvel’s character Sabra is a callous reminder of Israel’s human rights atrocities,” it said as this month marks the 40th anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre when thousands of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians were brutally murdered while the Israeli army, that has invaded and occupied the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in September 1982, not only looked on but even facilitated the carnage.

IMEU said that there is nothing heroic about Israel’s brutal military occupation.

“By glorifying the Israeli army and police, Marvel is promoting Israel’s violence against Palestinians and enabling the continued oppression of millions of Palestinians living under Israel’s authoritarian military rule,” it said.

Marvel Studios is an American film and television production company that is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios. It produces Marvel Cinematic Universe films, based on characters that appear in Marvel Comics publications. Its founder, chairman, and CEO is Avi Arad, an Israeli-American businessman and film producer.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency