Gal Gadot reacts during the unveiling ceremony for her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo: Reuters
Right before Gal Gadot's Walk of Fame ceremony began late Tuesday morning, several dozen protesters stormed Hollywood Boulevard with signage in hand. Representing both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups, the shouting crowds delayed the Snow White star's induction ceremony.
Some held signs that read "Heros Fight Like Palestinians" and "No Other Land Won Oscar," while others flew the Israeli flag.
Police arrived at the scene after a pro-Palestinian protester allegedly snatched an Israeli flag, according to Variety. In video posted on X by Variety reporter Katcy Stephan, LAPD officers can be seen running after a man who in turn is being chased by other protesters. Police can be seen handcuffing demonstrators in another video. An LAPD public information officer told The Times that no arrests were made.
Gadot, 39, who portrayed Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe, is the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "I'm just a girl from a town in Israel," she said as the crowd cheered loudly. "I could never imagine such a moment. I never dreamt of becoming an actress and I never knew that these things are possible.... This star will remind me that with hard work and passion and some faith, anything is possible."
The ceremony was emceed by Steve Nissen and attended by Gadot's Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and Fast And Furious co-star Vin Diesel. Gadot also was accompanied by her four young daughters and husband Jaron Varsano.
This demonstration takes place days before the nationwide release of Disney's live-action Snow White on Friday. From the racist backlash sparked by the casting of Rachel Zegler in the title princess role to uproar over Zegler's description of the film to the debated portrayal of the seven dwarfs, the remake has been the subject of many controversies. – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service