TEL AVIV – After initially banning the latest Steven Spielberg film over the director’s support of Israel, Lebanon is set to release it, a Lebanese official said Wednesday.
On Monday, the country’s security authority – the body responsible for securing Lebanon’s borders – had announced that in accordance with an Arab League boycott against Israel – and specifically against Spielberg himself, “The Post” would not be allowed for release.
Spielberg, a security official explained, “is blacklisted by the Arab League’s boycott office, which Lebanon complies with.”
However, the interior ministry made the rare decision to overrule the ban and will be shown in theaters from Thursday.
“Interior Minister Nohad Mashnouk is going to allow the film to be shown,” a senior ministry official told AFP.
The Arab League included Spielberg in its boycott after he donated $1 million to Israel during the 2006 war with Lebanon.
The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday said the security body’s initial ban of “The Post” was due to the director’s choice to film scenes of “Schindler’s List” in Jerusalem.
Also this week, the security body issued a ban on “Jungle,” a movie starring Daniel Radcliffe about an Israeli trekker who got lost in the Amazon in the 1980s.
Over the summer, the movie “Wonder Woman” was banned in Lebanon due to the Israeli actress’ starring role.
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