Disney+ Christmas Ad Sparks Controversy Over Pro-Palestinian Symbol | WATCH

Disney+ has faced backlash over its 2025 holiday advertisement, titled "A Lifetime of Stories," after viewers spotted a watermelon sticker on a teenage character's laptop. The watermelon, whose sliced colors (red, green, black, and white) match those of the Palestinian flag, has long been used as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, dating back to the 1967 Six-Day War when Israel banned public displays of the flag in "occupied territories".

In the 90-second ad, which celebrates Disney's storytelling legacy through a girl's life stages (from childhood to motherhood), the sticker appears briefly (less than two seconds) next to a Mickey Mouse sticker during a scene of the teenager studying.

Critics, including UK Conservative MP Richard Holden (a supporter of Conservative Friends of Israel), accused Disney of embedding a "secret pro-Palestine message" or spreading "anti-Jewish propaganda" in family-oriented content.

Outlets like The Telegraph, Daily Mail, and GB News amplified the claims, with some suggesting it reflects a "woke agenda."

Disney+ quickly denied any political intent, stating: "The sticker shown in the advert was chosen randomly and is not a political statement." The company emphasized that the ad focuses solely on nostalgia and the impact of Disney stories.

The watermelon symbol gained renewed prominence after October 7, 2023, often used in protests and online to evade content moderation. No changes to the ad have been announced, and the controversy has trended widely online.