Gal Gadot and President Herzog
In a candid exchange, movie star Gal Gadot opened up about the antisemitism she navigates as an Israeli in Hollywood today. "Of course, I see antisemitism around me," she said during an online conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
"Fifteen years ago, being Israeli was something people admired; they were fascinated by Israel's strong women. While that's not entirely lost, the topic is now fraught and the discourse is different. I often find myself having uncomfortable conversations with people who have opinions about what's happening, trying to present them with the full picture.
"I believe we have the power to unite and spread light, even when it's uncomfortable. We need to articulate the unpleasant truths because that's what it is—we must act to bring the hostages back; it's unthinkable they are still there. And we will overcome because that's the only way forward." Gadot expressed her readiness to bear the anger directed at her—"As a Jewish and Israeli figure, a global celebrity, I can handle it. It's okay. I want them to come home."
Gadot and Herzog spoke as part of the launch of his initiative "Voice of the People," aimed at "promoting Jewish unity." The virtual event, conducted in English, sought to "build a bridge between Jewish communities worldwide," with their dialogue focusing on "Jewish pride and the resilience of the Jewish people."
"Since October 7, life feels divided into before and after. I will always be proud of my heritage and my Israeli and Jewish identity. October 7 was a turning point for the Jewish community globally. No one anticipated such horror," she said. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of the hostages. While we're talking here, they are in Gaza, in tunnels, enduring a hellish reality for almost a year, and it breaks my heart. Words fail to capture the horror. I am in constant contact with the families, and my heart goes out to them. There's no sense of revenge; they are filled with hope, light, and love."
Gadot shared with viewers worldwide that she is "the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor who always urged me to learn history, so that what happened to us never happens again. This is a very dark period, but there is so much light. We must find a way to unite. We must remember Israel is the insurance policy of the Jewish people, and we must ensure Israel remains safe and strong, hoping one day it will live in peace with all its neighbors."
She also asked President Herzog about his plan to promote such a reality of peace, and he reiterated his call for unity among the people and in politics. "I believe in the eternity of Israel, in our people, in our democracy, in our army, and we are fighting against all those who seek to destroy us," he said. "It's a very difficult challenge, but I believe in my people and my country, and I believe the only way forward is to bring everyone together. It's time. We need to be united and communicate. I understand the fear and phobias, but we are living in a historical period where we must overcome them and move forward together."