Wonder Woman actress leads celebrities in solidarity with Israel

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed hundreds more lives in the past week and with no end in sight to the fighting, several famous movie stars have taken to social media to share their solidarity with Israel.

Since Hamas, the militant Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the UK, US, Israel and the EU, launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur (6 October), the Jewish holy day, more than 800 Israelis and 500 Palestinians have been killed as fighting intensifies actions.

Israel declared a state of war, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advised civilians in the Gaza Strip to leave immediately.

In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas rocket attack and hostage taking, many prominent Western celebrities joined world leaders in expressing support for Israel.

Notable among them was Gal Gadot, perhaps Israel’s most famous actress, who was uncompromising in her support for Israeli forces and her condemnation of Hamas.

What did Gal Gadot say about the Israeli-Palestinian war?

Gal Gadot, a Jewish Israeli actress who previously worked as a trainer and combat instructor in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), shared her support for Israeli forces in a series of Instagram posts.

On Sunday (October 8), she shared a news headline saying Israelis had been taken hostage by civilians. Alongside the image, she wrote: “At least 250 Israelis have been killed and dozens of women, children and the elderly held hostage in Gaza by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

“More than 3,000 rockets were fired since early morning. Hamas holds hostages and controls bases and settlements in Israel. More than 1,500 people were wounded and heavy fighting is still ongoing. “I hear their voices and they are knocking on the door. I’m with two small children. My heart hurts. I pray for everyone who is suffering.”

In another post, she wrote: “I support Israel and you should too. The world cannot sit idly by while these horrific acts of terrorism occur!”

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In her latest Instagram post yesterday, Gadot encouraged her followers to donate to the Jewish Agency for Israel’s charity, the North American Council.

Gadot previously declared her support for her home state of Israel during the 2014 Gaza War and called for peace between Israel and Palestine as tensions between the two territories rose in 2021.

Are Gal Gadot’s films banned in the Middle East?

Due to her strong support for Israel and her service in the Israeli army, several films starring Gadot are banned in some Muslim countries in the Middle East that recognize Palestine. Gadot completed two years of mandatory national service in Israel, but did not see combat during that time.

Her big-budget 2017 superhero film Wonder Woman, in which she plays an Amazonian goddess, was banned at various stages in Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and Tunisia.

Additionally, Agatha Christie’s 2022 film adaptation of Death on the Nile, in which Gadot plays Lynnette Ridgway Doyle, was banned in Kuwait and Lebanon, again due to Gadot’s military service.

What other stars have spoken out in support of Israel?

Several other high-profile celebrities have expressed support for Israel through their social media. Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis shared an image of the Israeli flag on her Instagram profile without a caption.

Comedian Amy Schumer shared a post that said, “Jews are the only group not allowed to defend themselves. This has nothing to do with the occupation. Hamas does not want the occupation to end. They want to destroy Israel. They are financed by Iran, which is trying to destroy the peace agreement.”

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), comedian Sarah Silverman shared, “My sister and nieces and nephews are here. They have been protesting against BIBI for months. Fight for a two-state solution. Israelis are Jews, Arabs and all colors. There are so many complexities in this. But MAKE NO MISTAKE Hamas is a terrorist organization whose mission is to kill all Jews. This damn world is breaking my heart.”

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill also reached out to X to show his support, posting “America supports Israel ✊ #ALWAYS” next to images of the two countries’ flags.

Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman shared a message on Instagram that read: “My heart is broken for the people of Israel,” the Oscar-winning actress wrote in her post. Houses. “I am horrified by these barbaric acts and my heart beats with love and prayer for the families of all those affected.”