Following Thursday's broadcast of Keshet 12's "special interview" program featuring Gal Gadot, social media erupted with thousands of furious responses and extensive international media coverage. The catalyst occurred when Gadot was questioned about her starring film Snow White's decisive box office failure, prompting her to claim that pressure applied to Hollywood figures to oppose Israel caused the disappointing performance.
This declaration proved sufficient to strike the exposed nerves of hundreds of thousands of online users, and within hours, news websites flooded with program coverage that refused to let her statement rest, including furious criticism of her remarks.
Gadot, currently in Israel enjoying an extended family vacation and having celebrated her birthday over the weekend with program host and close friend Rotem Sela, found herself compelled Sunday to address the tempest her words created, sharing with her hundreds of millions of Instagram followers a story attempting to explain her intended meaning.
"I was honored to join an extraordinary interview with inspiring interviewers, whose questions go straight to the heart," she wrote in her opening, adding that her response emerged from an emotional space. "Sometimes we respond to questions from an emotional place. When the film came out, I felt that those whio are Israel criticized me in a very personal, almost visceral way.
"They saw me first and foremost as an Israeli, not as an actress," she explained while emphasizing that she did not direct accusatory fingers solely at external factors. "That's the perspective I spoke from when I answered the question. Of course, the film did not fail solely because of external pressures. There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails, and success is never guaranteed."
During her interview, Gadot addressed multiple subjects. "I genuinely enjoyed filming this movie," Gal sought to clarify, even mentioning with a smile that she enjoyed collaborating with Rachel Zegler, who famously portrayed Snow White and generated countless controversies during the filming period and movie promotion, including posting pro-Palestinian tweets, sharing film criticisms, and refusing to congratulate her Israeli colleague, to put it mildly.
"We laughed and talked, and it was fun," Gal recounted regarding their relationship. "I felt certain this film would succeed enormously, and then October 7 occurred – and what happens, occurring across various industries including Hollywood," she explained, "involves tremendous pressure applied to celebrities, actors, and creators to post content opposing Israel, and it happened. I can always explain and attempt to provide context to people worldwide about what transpires here and what constitutes reality here, and I consistently do that, but ultimately, people decide independently. I felt disappointed that the film was significantly affected by this and failed to succeed at the box office, but that's the situation," she stated.
During the special interview, as mentioned, Gadot addressed several topics. "I really enjoyed filming this movie," Gal sought to clarify and even noted with a smile that she enjoyed working with Rachel Zegler who as recalled played Snow White and created countless storms during the filming period and film promotion when among other things she tweeted pro-Palestinian tweets, shared criticisms against the film and did not congratulate her Israeli colleague to say the least.
Subsequently, Gal explained her decision against wearing the yellow hostage pin on her dress lapel at the recent Golden Globes ceremony, a choice that earned waves of angry criticism. "I am Israeli and proud of it," she clarified. "I was invited to the Golden Globes to present an award. At such events, there are many collaborations and brands that are involved, and it's quite complicated. It didn't feel right for me to wear the ribbon to work. It could be that this was a mistake."
