Gal Gadot, the renowned actress, is using her social media platforms to express her support for the citizens of Israel amidst the country’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. Israeli military figures have reported that more than 1,200 people have been killed in the attacks carried out by Hamas militants who infiltrated into Israel on October 7. Hamas claimed responsibility for the assault, citing worsening living conditions for Palestinians due to the Israeli occupation as their reason for the attack.
Israel has launched an operation called “Swords of Iron” against Hamas, which includes airstrikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip. The entry of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine has also been blocked, worsening the already dire humanitarian conditions in the region, which is home to around 2.3 million people. There was an explosion at al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, resulting in the death of approximately 500 people, many of whom had been displaced due to Israeli evacuation orders. While Palestinian militants and officials place the blame on an Israeli airstrike, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claim that an errant rocket fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group from Gaza caused the explosion.
According to The Associated Press, prior to the explosion in the hospital, over 1,400 Israelis and more than 2,778 Palestinians had lost their lives. Furthermore, almost 200 individuals were kidnapped during the attack on October 7. Despite the ongoing conflict, Gadot, the leading actress in Wonder Woman, has been using her social media accounts to raise awareness about the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Soon after the initial attacks, Gadot shared a photo featuring the Star of David alongside the statement “I stand with Israel” on Instagram. In the caption, she urged her followers to take a stand against these horrific acts of terrorism. Since then, Gadot has continued to post about the hostage situation, employing hashtags like “#ReleaseTheHostages” and “#BringThemBack.” Her efforts have garnered praise from many, with one Instagram user lauding her for utilizing her massive platform to support her people.
Numerous individuals have commented “Free Palestine” on Gal Gadot’s social media posts, but she has not responded to those comments. Instead, she has focused on the Israelis who have been affected by the conflict. Gadot previously addressed the issue of innocent Palestinians being killed, but faced criticism for her statement and later deleted it. Israeli TV host Ofira Asayag called out Gadot for deleting the post and accused her of prioritizing her career over speaking out against atrocities committed against Israelis. Asayag also criticized Gadot for only identifying as Israeli when it was convenient for her.
Gadot has responded to the criticism she received by clarifying her intention. She apologized to Ofira, stating that her words may have been misunderstood. She expressed her desire to speak out for Israel and raise awareness about the difficult situation the country is facing. Gadot affirmed that she will continue to use her platform to draw attention to the issue and gain global support. In 2021, Yair Netanyahu criticized Gadot for her “neutral” message regarding the Gaza conflict. Gadot’s statement about Israel deserving to live safely and freely was perceived as too neutral by Netanyahu’s son, who likened her to being from Switzerland. Newsweek has reached out to Gadot’s representative for comment.
In light of the recent criticism faced by celebrities such as Amy Schumer and Mia Khalifa for their social media posts regarding the war, it is wise for public figures to be cautious about expressing their opinions. Evan Nierman, CEO of Red Banyan, a global PR firm, believes that the backlash these celebrities have faced is a reflection of a wider social issue. According to Nierman, online trolls who attack celebrities and individuals with higher profiles than their own are engaging in ad hominem attacks. He suggests that social media has become a bloodsport of criticism and venom, where people try to make themselves relevant by attacking others. This trend of cancel culture highlights the importance of being mindful of what we post on social media.