Netflix’s ‘Mary’ Attracts Social Media Backlash for Casting Israeli Actress as Mother of Jesus

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A new Biblical epic coming to Netflix this Christmas is garnering online backlash because of the film’s Israeli cast.

Netflix’s “Mary,” coming to the streaming platform on December 6, stars Israeli actress Noa Cohen in the titular role, and Israeli actor Ido Tako as Joseph, Jesus’ father. The coming-of-age tale retells the world-famous Biblical story through the eyes of Mary, mother of Jesus.

“Directed by D.J. Caruso (Disturbia) and written by Timothy Michael Hayes, this uplifting biblical epic follows Mary, Joseph, and their newborn son, Jesus, as they flee the relentless pursuit of King Herod, portrayed by two-time Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins,” Netflix’s website announced.

Since Netflix dropped the trailer for the film on November 12, it has been relentlessly attacked by anti-Israel critics on social media who are upset by the casting of the Israeli actors as Mary and Joseph. . .

Several people online are now calling for a boycott, claiming the film is historically inaccurate because Mary and Joseph were actually “Palestinian.”

“Instead of casting Middle-Eastern Christians to play the roles, the director casted European Israelis to play the roles for ‘authenticity’ reasons… yeah boycott this crap!” one account with a Palestinian flag in its profile demanded.

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