The Gaza war has captivated the world’s attention, prompting global calls for a ceasefire and attracting celebrities to use their social media platforms as megaphones. The Israeli actress Gal Gadot, best known for starring in “Wonder Woman,” is among the stars who have made it clear that they stand with Israel.
Gadot, who served two mandatory years in the Israel Defense Forces, has been a vocal proponent of the Jewish state and shared an Instagram post with her more than 109 million followers that included photos of the dead and missing, along with the text, “I stand with Israel, you should too.” She also posted several Instagram stories.
Her post was met with a barrage of criticism, with many accusing her of being anti-Palestinian. A tweet by one user said that she could not say ‘Free Palestine’ because it would be seen as a sign of support for Hamas. This Palestinian terrorist organization seeks to destroy Israel and replace it with a Jewish-free state.
Others defended her, with some claiming that the Palestinians have a right to their state, too. Others criticized her for only focusing on the lives of the Israelis and not including those who have been killed and injured in the fighting. The same sentiment was heard on social media when the model sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, who are both half-Palestinian, shared a photo of a bloodied floor with the caption “prayers for Israel” and then later posted a picture of the missing from Gaza with the message, “The world can’t sit back & watch innocent people suffer.”
Other celebs have spoken out against the violence as well. American actress Mayim Bialik, who is open about her Judaism and serves as an emissary for the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, shared a graphic on her Instagram with the message, “Nobody should have to choose between their home and their faith.”
Actors Jerry Seinfeld and Jamie Lee Curtis also took to their platforms to condemn Hamas’ actions. The pair, along with several other celebrities, signed an open letter to President Biden that called for the end to the violence and demanded the return of all the hostages held by the terrorist group.
British musician Zayn Malik, singers Frank Ocean and Zara Larsson, and actors Channing Tatum and Joaquin Phoenix also have posted their stance on the conflict. Some, like R&B singer Summer Walker, have taken to their Instagram pages to share photos of the dead and wounded with their followers. Others, such as the rock band U2, have changed their song “Pride” lyrics ahead of a Las Vegas concert to include a reference to the war. The band urged their fans to show up and “show the world that we cannot tolerate hatred, violence, division or racism,” according to a statement. This is not the first time U2 has used their music to call for peace.
