Gal Gadot first Israeli actor to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame - The Jewish Chronicle

Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress best known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman, made history on Tuesday as the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The ceremony, held in front of a packed crowd on Hollywood Boulevard, was marked by Gadot’s celebration of her Israeli roots, which she proudly referenced during her speech, even incorporating Hebrew into her remarks.

“I’m just a girl from a town in Israel,” Gadot said, receiving loud cheers from the audience. “To all the young people, especially the young girls, if a girl from Rosh Ha’ayin can get a star on Hollywood Boulevard, anything is possible.” She also addressed her family in Hebrew, expressing her love for them despite the distance.

Accompanied by her husband, Jaron Varsano, whom she described as “my rock, my compass, my firefighter,” and their four daughters—Alma, 13, Maya, 8, Daniella, 3, and Ori, 13 months—Gadot made a heartwarming tribute to motherhood.

“Whenever my success grew, I always got pregnant,” she joked. “I needed to ground myself.” She continued, addressing her daughters: “Being your Ima (mother in Hebrew) is the greatest privilege of anything I have ever done. You inspire me to be a better person, to be strong and brave and kind as you are.”

(L-R) Alma Varsano, Jaron Varsano, Ori Varsano, Gal Gadot, Maya Varsano and Daniella Varsano attend the ceremony (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)Getty Images

The star-studded event was further highlighted by remarks from Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Nissen, as well as tributes from Gadot’s Fast and Furious co-star Vin Diesel and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. However, the ceremony was interrupted by a vocal protest over Gadot’s political views.

Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed outside the Walk of Fame, delaying the ceremony by about 15 minutes.

A video posted by Variety reporter Katcy Stephan shows protesters chanting about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The protests were sparked by Gadot’s support of the Israeli military, especially following the Hamas-led attacks on Israeli citizens on October 7.

“When people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors… I could not be silent,” Gadot told Variety before the ceremony. “I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they have no idea… I had to speak up.”

Gadot added: “I am all about humanity. I had to advocate for the hostages.” She further explained that criticism of her views did not sway her, noting, “When your compass is clear, your conscience is clean. I know what I’m advocating for, and I know what I wish for the world.”

While Gadot became the first Israeli actor to be honoured with a star, she was not the first Israeli with a Hollywood star.

That distinction went to producer Haim Saban in 2017. The timing of Gadot’s award comes just days before the release of Disney’s “Snow White,” in which she plays the Evil Queen. The movie has faced calls for a boycott from pro-Palestinian groups due to Gadot’s background.

Approximately two dozen protesters from each side gathered outside, and at one point, a pro-Palestinian protester reportedly stole an Israeli flag, prompting a police response.

Gadot’s star was dedicated as the 2,804th on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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