Amid the 42nd Jerusalem Film Festival’s glimmering lights, Gal Gadot took the stage to receive a prestigious award—and deliver an achingly personal message. The 40‑year‑old actress, born near Tel Aviv, paused amid applause to say, “I pray this war will end and that everyone here will finally have calm and security. That will not be possible until the hostages come home.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she held a yellow ribbon in solidarity with the hostages, reaffirming her deep connection to Israel—even as pro-Palestinian activists criticized her online for her support of the Israeli military. Simultaneously, right-wing Israeli outlets condemned her call to end the war, calling it premature amid ongoing military operations.
Festival director Roni Mahadev‑Levin, speaking to AFP, revealed the gravity of the moment: during June’s brief war with Iran, organizers spent two weeks in bomb shelters, not knowing if the festival could proceed. Flight cancellations and international hesitancy cast a shadow over the event. “We could not expect to receive the same number of international guests as in a normal year,” he acknowledged.
The festival—now underway and running through July 26—opened with Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, a Cannes award‑winning film. Despite geopolitical turbulence, Jerusalem’s stage remains a platform for cinematic voices and Gadot’s emotional appeal for peace.
Why this matters
Gal Gadot’s speech cuts through glitz and controversy. In a divided region, she used her global platform to humanize the conflict, urging world leaders—and her fellow Israelis—to prioritize dialogue and healing. Whether she drew criticism or support, her words echoed far beyond the festival grounds, a reminder of the personal cost of war and the universal hope for peace.
Quick facts
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Gadot received dual honors—one from the festival and another from Hadassah—for her contributions to cinema and her vocal support of Israel.
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The Jerusalem Film Festival faced serious logistical challenges due to recent regional conflicts, including a 12‑day war with Iran and ongoing Gaza hostilities.
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The screening lineup includes notable international films, reaffirming the festival’s resilience amid political tensions.
In a moment marked by both glitz and grief, Gal Gadot reminded the world—and herself—that cinema and celebrity can still carry a moral heartbeat, urging a return of the hostages and an end to the Gaza war.
