Israeli actress Gal Gadot has chosen not to attend the Venice Film Festival this year, amid mounting backlash over her perceived support for Israel during its ongoing military operations in Gaza. The decision comes just as her new film, The Hand of Dante, co-starring Gerard Butler, is set to premiere at the prestigious event.
According to RadarOnline, Gadot, 40, is facing increasing pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, especially in light of her public stance on the Israeli-Gaza conflict. Organizers fear her presence could lead to disruptive protests, particularly on the festival’s red carpet scheduled for Saturday. These tensions are part of a broader campaign led by Artists for Palestine, which has called for the Biennale (which oversees the Venice Film Festival) to rescind invitations to any artists who have shown “active support for genocide.”
Security Heightened, Film Premieres Without Lead Star
With Gadot and Butler under scrutiny, security at the Venice Film Festival has been significantly tightened. A “ring of steel” has been established around the festival grounds, with body scanners, bag checks, and strict pass requirements in place to monitor all guests and staff.
Despite the intense pressure, Festival Director Alberto Barbera confirmed this week that Gadot would not be attending. He also clarified the Biennale’s position, emphasizing its commitment to freedom of expression and cultural exchange, while expressing deep sorrow over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We are a place of openness and debate, not censorship,” Barbera said. “But we also clearly express our grief for the suffering and deaths of civilians, especially children, in Palestine.”
Isabella De Monte, a member of the Italian Parliament and a leader in Forza Italia’s Foreign Affairs Department, criticized the boycott movement, calling it “reckless” and politically motivated. “Gadot’s only crime, in the eyes of the protesters, is being Israeli,” she said, while stressing the importance of dialogue and cultural pluralism in the arts.
Snow White Fallout Still Lingers
Gadot’s decision to avoid Venice adds to a string of recent controversies. She was previously embroiled in a rumored feud with Rachel Zegler, her co-star in the troubled live-action remake of Snow White. That film suffered heavy criticism and poor reception, with tensions between its stars reportedly contributing to negative media coverage.
Gadot has remained silent on both the Zegler situation and her absence from Venice, allowing speculation and criticism to swirl. While her film The Hand of Dante will premiere without her presence, her absence is likely to remain one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s festival.
