Why an ultra-orthodox community in Israel has taken offence to a cartoon character

Images of Smurette, the only female character in the upcoming Smurfs movie, have been removed so as to not offend the ultra-conservative community of Bnei Brak, Israel.

Israel’s pious ultra-Orthodox Jewish community has long chafed at public displays of women, whether the images are of female public figures or ordinary women.

Demi Lovato plays Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs: The Lost Village.

Now even animated characters appear to be a no-go.

The PR company promoting Smurfs: The Lost Village movie, which opens Thursday in Israel, says it has removed the images of Smurfette - the only female among the Smurf characters - from promo posters in the central Israeli city of Bnei Brak.

The original poster shows Smurfette alongside friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty. But in Bnei Brak, she’s nowhere to be found.

The ultra-Orthodox press in Israel has previously avoided publishing pictures of Hillary Clinton during last year’s American presidential race.

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