Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress best known for her iconic role as Wonder Woman, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday. However, the celebratory event was marred by protests from pro-Palestinian activists, who clashed with pro-Israel supporters, turning the ceremony into a flashpoint for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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Gadot, 39, has long been a polarizing figure in Hollywood due to her vocal support for Israel and her past service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Like many young Israelis, Gadot was conscripted into the military at age 20, serving for two years. In a 2020 interview with InStyle, she reflected on her time in the IDF, stating,
“The army wasn’t that difficult for me. The military gave me good training for Hollywood.”
Her military background and outspoken advocacy for Israel have made her a target for criticism, since Gal Gadot has repeatedly used her platform to condemn Hamas and express solidarity with Israel, posting on Instagram in 2023
“I stand with Israel you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening.”
Protesters Disrupt Ceremony with Chants and Signs
The ceremony, held on Hollywood Boulevard, was interrupted by dozens of protesters from both sides of the conflict. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carried signs reading, “Heroes Fight Like Palestinians” and “No Other Land Won Oscar,” referencing the recent Oscar-winning documentary about Palestinian displacement. They chanted slogans such as, “Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel’s crime” and “Up, up with liberation, down, down with occupation.”
One pro-Palestinian protester told Variety they were “all really upset about what’s happening in Gaza right now,” accusing Gadot of “keeping her head in the sand” instead of using her platform to speak out against the war.
“She has the ability to learn and read the same books that we read. There’s just no excuse,” the protester said.
Meanwhile, pro-Israel protesters also made their presence known, with one attendee sharing her personal connection to the conflict.
“They come [to] our home and take us from our home and give us dead children,” she told Variety, referencing the October 7 attack. “We don’t start war, we don’t want war at all.”
The tension escalated when a pro-Palestinian activist allegedly stole an Israeli flag, prompting police intervention. Despite the chaos, Gadot remained composed, delivering a heartfelt speech at the podium.
“I’m just a girl from a town in Israel. This star will remind me that with hard work and passion and some faith, anything is possible,” she said.
Gadot’s Political Stance Sparks Tensions in Hollywood
Gadot’s unwavering support for Israel has reportedly caused friction within the entertainment industry. Sources told People last week that her political views have created “tension” with her Snow White co-star Rachel Zegler, who has publicly supported the Free Palestine movement. The two actresses are reportedly “not friends” and have “nothing in common,” promoting their upcoming Disney film separately.
The divide reflects a broader trend in Hollywood, where the Israel-Hamas war has sparked heated debates and divided celebrities. Gadot, however, has remained steadfast in her stance, even organizing private screenings of footage from the October 7 attacks for Hollywood executives to raise awareness about the attacks committed by Hamas.
A Star Amidst the Storm
Even thought, Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star celebrates her achievements as one of the industry’s most recognizable faces, the protests that disrupted the ceremony underscored a growing global movement demanding attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. For the activists who gathered, the event was not just about Gadot but an opportunity to use her platform—and the media spotlight it attracts—to amplify their calls for justice and an end to the violence in Palestine.
The demonstrators, armed with signs and chants, turned the ceremony into a stage for their cause, emphasizing the power of protest in holding public figures accountable. For many, Gadot’s vocal support for Israel and her refusal to critique its government’s actions in Gaza have made her a symbol of the silence they are fighting to break. As the Israel-Hamas war continues to devastate lives, the activists’ presence at the event was a reminder that the entertainment industry cannot remain insulated from the world’s most urgent crises.
Gadot’s star on Hollywood Boulevard may mark her success, but the protests surrounding it also highlight the growing pressure on celebrities to use their influence responsibly. For the activists, the disruption was not just a moment of dissent but a call to action, urging the world to look beyond the glitz of Hollywood and confront the realities of occupation and war.
