Israeli actress Gal Gadot, renowned for her iconic role as Wonder Woman, is taking steps to bring international attention to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip. In a collaborative effort, Gadot is organising a screening of a powerful 47-minute video provided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson's Unit on Wednesday. The screening will take place in Los Angeles, although at the same time, there will also be another screening in New York.
This documentary serves as a damning record of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli communities bordering Gaza on October 7. The screening is expected to take place before a curated audience, including Hollywood celebrities and prominent figures, according to The Jerusalem Post.
The event, initiated by several Hollywood Jews and spearheaded by Israeli-American Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv, whose notable work includes Golda, aims to shed light on the disturbing events captured in the video.
Recently reflecting on the project in an invitation sent to several Hollywood executives, Nattiv emphasised the importance of not letting these images be forgotten. Drawing a poignant connection to history, he recalled the Holocaust era when the world largely remained indifferent to the suffering of the Jewish population.
Nattiv stated, "As a filmmaker, I swore that these images of October 7 would not be forgotten, and the world would see them. Because now the denial begins – it is a fake, it is not a fake. We cannot pass by in silence."
The initial screening will host 120 spectators, with the potential for additional screenings depending on the level of interest generated. The content of the video is recognised for its deeply disturbing nature, making it a challenging viewing experience. Already, it has been viewed by hundreds of foreign journalists and members of the Israeli Knesset.
Some Knesset members who viewed the footage were so overwhelmed by its content that they left the screening mid-view. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, in partnership with the Israeli Consulate in New York, held a special screening for diplomats to raise international awareness about the horrors committed by Hamas.
Erdan's aim is to emphasise that Hamas is a terrorist organisation whose primary goal is the destruction of Israel, underscoring the urgency of addressing this ongoing conflict.
Media personality Ofira Asayag criticized the globally acclaimed Israeli actress, Gal Gadot, for a now-deleted Instagram story where she condemned the loss of innocent lives on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In response, Gadot sought to address the situation and clarify that her words had been misconstrued.
In her posted story, the actress said, "Ofira, my love, I'm sorry if my words were not understood as I intended. All I want is to represent Israel on the global stage, shedding light on the hardships we are facing and garnering international support against our critics. I will continue to do everything in my power to voice Israel's plea from every corner. My heart aches, and my soul is heavy with grief for the ongoing events. But I have no doubt that our people will endure. Am Yisrael Chai."
'We are all Jews'
Asayag replied, "Gal, we've been proud of you for all these years. In this critical moment, we want you to stand with us, not apart from us. Your strength is invaluable, and we are going through a trying time. Be by our side."
She added, "Above all, let's remember, we are all Jews. We are one people, and we have no other homeland."
Earlier, Asayag had criticized Gadot on her Instagram, saying, "Gal Gadot, you wrote and then deleted! That's a good thing. I've refrained from responding to you multiple times because I understand your concern for your career and livelihood. But this time, you've crossed a line. Come to the frontlines to witness the tragedy of innocent lives lost, young girls, fallen soldiers, and grieving families. Our enemies harbor hatred for Israel. And you? It's best for all of us to remain silent. You live in a Hollywood movie, switching your Israeli identity on and off at will. Chart a course, please."