“Not About Cinema”: Gal Gadot Responds to Festival Boycott Calls
Israeli actress Gal Gadot responds to Venice Film Festival boycott calls, sharing support message amid controversy over her planned attendance at the premiere of "In the Hands of Dante."
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Israeli Actress Caught in Political Storm
The Venice International Film Festival is facing backlash after Israeli actress Gal Gadot confirmed she would not attend its red-carpet premiere. Gadot had been invited to promote her new film In the Hands of Dante, co-starring Gerard Butler, but stepped back amid mounting political pressure.
Gadot Responds Publicly
On this Wednesday, Gadot addressed the controversy for the first time via Instagram Stories. Sharing a clip from Israeli content creator “ariacker,” she wrote: “Sending light and love to everyone.”
In the video, the creator defended Gadot, stating:
“She never even intended to participate in the festival. Her film has nothing to do with the Middle East. The only ‘crime’ here is that she is Jewish and Israeli.”
He added that the campaign against her was less about cinema and more about expressing hostility toward Israel and Jews.
Festival Under Scrutiny
The Venice Film Festival has not issued a direct response to the calls for Gadot’s exclusion. However, the campaign has already placed the prestigious event under scrutiny, with critics arguing that cultural spaces are being politicized in ways that risk overshadowing the films themselves.
For Gadot, the decision to step back appears to be less about cinema and more about navigating the intersection of identity, politics, and global perception.