Smurfette removed from movie posters in ultra-Orthodox city in Israel

A poster for the Smurfs, The Lost Village, movie is seen in the central Israeli city of Bnei Brak. The PR firm promoting “Smurfs: The Lost Village” says it removed Smurfette from promo posters in central city of Bnei Brak so as not to offend its ultra-Orthodox Jewish residents. (AP)

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.

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 Mirka'im-Hutzot Zahav company says it did so as not to offend the city's ultra-Orthodox residents.

According to The Times of Israel, Bnei Brak has an ordinance to prevent hanging posters of women that "might incite the feelings of the city’s residents."

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.