Will Gal Gadot survive Israel's Gaza War?

In the glittering yet unforgiving world of Hollywood, where public personas can eclipse performances, Israeli actress Gal Gadot stands as a poignant emblem of how geopolitical storms can ripple through a career.

Once hailed as the embodiment of empowerment in her breakout role as Wonder Woman, Gadot's unwavering support for Israel amid the Israel-Gaza war has sparked intense backlash, protests, and boycott calls. Yet, as the dust settles on box office disappointments and red-carpet disruptions, the question lingers: Has this controversy truly cost her a thriving trajectory, or merely reshaped it in the shadow of global divisions?

Gadot's journey from Miss Israel to international icon was forged in resilience, including her mandatory two-year service in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat fitness instructor – a chapter she has proudly referenced as preparation for the rigors of show business. But the escalation of the Israel-Gaza war following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks thrust her into a maelstrom of scrutiny. On that day, Gadot posted on Instagram: "I stand with Israel you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!" She followed with calls for the release of hostages, sharing over 80 names in Instagram stories and attending events like the United Hatzalah of Israel gala, where she tearfully urged "urgent" prayers for the 48 remaining captives.

This vocal stance ignited a firestorm. Pro-Palestinian activists labeled her a "Zionist" and "genocide cheerleader," fueling boycott campaigns tied to her IDF past and perceived silence on Palestinian casualties. Social media erupted with calls to shun her films, with one viral post declaring: "We won't give our money to genocide cheerleaders." Protests disrupted her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in March 2025, where dueling crowds – pro-Palestine and pro-Israel – clashed, delaying the event and prompting police intervention. Signs read "Heroes Fight Like Palestinians," while chants of "shame on Gal Gadot" echoed.

The professional toll has been palpable. Disney's live-action *Snow White*, where Gadot portrayed the Evil Queen opposite Rachel Zegler's Snow White, bombed at the box office, incurring a $115 million loss. Gadot attributed part of the failure to "pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel" post-October 7, claiming it created a toxic atmosphere that overshadowed the film. Zegler's pro-Palestine posts, including "Free Palestine," reportedly strained on-set dynamics and fueled online vitriol, leading to death threats against Gadot and heightened security from Disney. Gadot later clarified the flop wasn't "solely" due to politics, but the narrative persisted, with critics like those on The Young Turks mocking her for blaming pro-Palestinians instead of her performance.

Further ripples emerged at the Venice Film Festival in September 2025, where activists petitioned to disinvite Gadot from the premiere of *In the Hand of Dante* over her Israel support, though director Julian Schnabel rejected the calls, stating there's "no reason to boycott artists." Online, sentiments range from harsh – "Her support for genocide tanked her film," to dismissive of her acting talent, with X users tying her IDF history to calls for cancellation.

Yet, Gadot's star hasn't fully dimmed. She presented at the 2025 Oscars alongside Zegler, unveiled her Walk of Fame star, and continues advocacy, speaking at the Anti-Defamation League's summit in March 2025: "Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States... we would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating." In a March 2025 Variety interview, she affirmed no regrets about her outspokenness, rooted in her Holocaust survivor heritage and Israeli identity. Upcoming roles, like in The Runner, persist despite set disruptions.

Despite this, it definitely seems like her international audience has thawed when it comes to Gadot, through zero fault of her own.

The backlash has undoubtedly scarred her path, flops, threats, and boycotts marking the toll, but her resilience endures, a testament to a career forged not just in fantasy, but in the unyielding forge of real-world strife. As Hollywood navigates these turbulent waters, one wonders if unity, rather than division, might one day reclaim the narrative.