Gal Gadot Pulls Out of Venice Film Festival Amid Protests and Security Concerns

Israeli actress Gal Gadot will not attend the Venice Film Festival this week. She was due to walk the red carpet for her new film In The Hand of Dante. Organizers confirmed she will stay away after pressure from protest groups.

Security fears also played a role. Pro-Palestine activists had planned large demonstrations during the opening days of the festival. Police have already put heavy security in place around the main cinema areas.

Gal Gadot Faces Political Backlash in Venice

Gal Gadot, best known for Wonder Woman, has faced criticism over her public support for Israel. Campaign group Venice4Palestine demanded her removal from the festival. They also called for actor Gerard Butler to be uninvited from the same film.

Festival director Alberto Barbera said the Biennale will not censor artists. He stressed that the festival is a space for dialogue and culture. Still, he admitted concern about the conflict in Gaza and the loss of civilian lives.

Italian politician Isabella De Monte criticized the boycott calls. She said Gadot’s only “crime” in the eyes of protesters was being Israeli. She urged respect for the Venice Film Festival as a cultural event.

Hollywood Divided Over Gaza Conflict

The controversy highlights a wider split in the film industry. Brad Pitt has backed another Venice premiere, The Voice of Hind Rajab, a drama about a Palestinian child killed in Gaza. Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara also support the project as executive producers.

The film includes real audio recordings from Hind Rajab before her death. It has become a symbol for pro-Palestine movements, including student protests at Columbia University earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Gadot recently spoke about the failure of Disney’s Snow White. She blamed global backlash after October 7 for the film’s poor box office results. The film grossed $200 million, far below its production and marketing budget.

Cultural Events Under Political Pressure

The Venice Film Festival now faces a delicate balance. Organizers want to showcase films while avoiding unrest on the red carpet. Demonstrations are set for Saturday, and more could follow throughout the festival.

For Gadot, the choice was clear. Attending Venice risked overshadowing her film with protests and political anger. Her absence will now be part of the story of this year’s festival.

Gal Gadot will continue to face sharp divides in public opinion. Her career remains strong, but her political stance ensures she will remain at the center of cultural debates.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: Why is Gal Gadot not attending the Venice Film Festival?

She pulled out due to security concerns and protests planned by pro-Palestine groups. Organizers confirmed she will stay away.

Q2: What film was Gal Gadot supposed to promote?

She stars in *In The Hand of Dante* alongside Gerard Butler. The film was scheduled to premiere at Venice this week.

Q3: Who opposed Gal Gadot’s attendance?

Venice4Palestine demanded her removal. They argued that artists who support Israel should not be given a platform.

Q4: What other films linked to Gaza are at the festival?

*The Voice of Hind Rajab*, backed by Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara, will premiere. It tells the story of a Palestinian child killed in Gaza.

Q5: How did Gal Gadot react to Disney’s Snow White flop?

She said the film was hurt by political backlash after October 7. It earned $200 million but cost more than $350 million to make and market.