Gal Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday was marked by tension as political protesters disrupted the event. The Israeli actress, known for her role in "Wonder Woman," has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and its military. Her vocal stance, particularly following the 7 October terrorist attacks and subsequent invasion of Gaza, has drawn both support and criticism from the public.
Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, has used her social media platforms to express her support for Israel. She has also spoken passionately about her views, notably at the Anti-Defamation League’s annual summit on 4 March. During her speech, she described the deep impact of the Hamas-led attack on Israeli citizens that took place on 7 October 2023.
“When people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent,” said Gal Gadot.
At her Walk of Fame ceremony, Gadot steered clear of discussing the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, she focused on expressing gratitude to those who have supported her career. She thanked Patty Jenkins, director of "Wonder Woman," and Vin Diesel, her co-star from "Fast and Furious," during her speech. She also referred to herself as "just a girl from a town in Israel," highlighting her humble beginnings.
Despite the celebratory nature of the event, protesters voiced their opposition to Gadot's political stance. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted the proceedings, chanting slogans like “Up up with liberation, down down with occupation.” The protest underscored the polarized views surrounding Gadot's support for Israel.
Gadot has faced significant criticism for her political stance, with some accusing her of being one-sided in the complex Israel-Palestine conflict. She is not alone in facing such scrutiny; other Disney stars, including her "Snow White" co-star Rachel Zegler, have also been vocal about their views on the issue. Zegler, in contrast to Gadot, has been vocally pro-Palestine.
Amidst these tensions, Gadot’s upcoming film "Snow White" has also encountered controversy in the lead-up to its release. Nonetheless, Gadot remains firm in her beliefs and continues to advocate for what she perceives as justice.
“I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea, and also by how the media is not fair many times. So I had to speak up,” Gadot remarked about the backlash she received.