Gal Gadot defended her decision to support Israel shortly before protestors disrupted her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
On Tuesday morning, Variety published an interview with the Israel-born actress in which she explained, “There is a challenge for people to speak on social media because there is so much hate going on and so many bots and so many angry people that are looking for a cause.”
According to Gadot, her advocacy is based on amplifying the needs of the voiceless, and she disregards the divisive reactions that result.
“After October 7th, [2023], I don’t talk politics — because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? I’m an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world,” she told the outlet.
“But on October 7th, 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.”
The “Wonder Woman” star, 39, was admittedly “shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea.”
She was also taken aback “by how the media is not fair many times,” so she “had to speak up.”
Gadot — who portrays the evil queen in Disney’s forthcoming live-action reimagining of “Snow White” — insisted that she’s “not a hater” but rather “a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz.”
The mother of four is also “eighth generation Israeli” on the other side of her family and referred to herself as “an indigenous person of Israel.”
She claimed she’s “all about humanity,” which is why she “felt like [she] had to advocate for the hostages.”
Gadot also noted that she manages to brush off criticism of her stance because “when your compass is clear, your conscience is clean.”
Shortly after the article went live, dozens of protesters disrupted her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators arrived outside of the tented-off area on Hollywood Boulevard with signs that read “Heros [sic] Fight Like Palestinians” and “No Other Land Won Oscar.”
They could be heard chanting, “Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel’s crime” and “Up, up with liberation, down, down with occupation,” as Gadot was being honored.
Officers arrived on the scene after a pro-Palestine protester allegedly stole an Israeli flag, allowing Gadot’s event to proceed.
“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 marveled while at the podium as she received a star on the coveted sidewalk.
Almost a year and a half ago, Hamas terrorists launched an attack against Israeli civilians, which left hundreds dead. The conflict continues in the Middle East.
Gadot’s view has reportedly caused “tension” with her “Snow White” co-star Rachel Zegler, who was cast as the title character and openly advocates for the Free Palestine movement.
A source told People last week that the two “are not friends” and have “nothing in common,” which is why they’re promoting the movie separately.
