Gal Gadot joins hostage families in Israel amid nationwide movement to end Gaza war
The former Israel Defense Forces soldier and "Wonder Woman" star embraced those whose loved ones have been held by Hamas for nearly two years since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Her visit coincided with "Israel on Hold" day – a nationwide protest organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which is demanding the government prioritize negotiations for the release of the roughly 50 remaining hostages abducted during the Hamas-led assault. Nearly 20 are believed to still be alive.
Families fear the government's recent approval of an expanded military campaign in Gaza, including a planned takeover of Gaza City, could endanger their loved ones rather than secure their release.
At the square, Gadot was photographed embracing Lishay Miran‑Lavi, the wife of Omri Miran, who was abducted by Hamas terrorists from their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, in front of her and their two young daughters.
Gadot was also seen hugging Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, who was kidnapped alongside his girlfriend Ilana Gritzewsky from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Einav has since become one of the most prominent figures among hostage families.
Gadot's meeting with the families underscored the deep connection the prominent Hollywood figure sought to make with families whose voices have become central to the national campaign for the hostages. The forum later said they were profoundly touched by her visit.
"We were deeply moved by Gal Gadot's visit to Hostages Square today," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday. "She chose to spend real time with us, sitting with the families and Hamas captivity survivors, listening with patience and empathy, and sharing in our pain. For families who have endured nearly two years of fear and uncertainty, her presence was a rare moment of comfort and strength."
"This visit was one of many gestures and events taking place across the country today as part of the day of stoppage, and the love and support shown to the families has been overwhelming," the organization added. "It reminded us that the hostages have not been forgotten, that their plight matters not only in Israel but around the world, and that we are not alone in this struggle. Gal's compassion and solidarity are among the sources of strength that help us continue until all 50 hostages are returned."
Gadot has long been one of Israel's most prominent cultural figures and has repeatedly used her platform to speak out in support of her home country.
That visibility, however, has also made her a target of criticism abroad.
The actress, who most recently starred in "Snow White," reportedly said in an interview with Channel Keshet 12 that she believes pressure in Hollywood for celebrities "to speak out against Israel" contributed to the film's disappointing box-office performance. She argued that backlash over her outspoken pro-Israel stance has bled into her career, according to the Jerusalem Post. Despite the criticism, she has continued to draw international attention to the cause.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Gal Gadot clarifies comments about pro-Israeli stance causing ‘Snow White' to flop
Gal Gadot is backtracking her recent comments about why 'Snow White' flopped. During her appearance on the Israeli TV show 'The A Talks' on Thursday, the 40-year-old actress stated that anti-Israeli sentiment in Hollywood caused the Disney remake to completely bomb at the box office in March. 'I was positive the movie was going to be a huge hit. And then Oct. 7 happened, and what happened all over in different industries, not just Hollywood, there was a lot of pressure put on celebrities, actors, creators to post against Israel,' Gadot said. Advertisement 9 Gal Gadot in 'Snow White.' Walt Disney Co. But on Sunday, Gadot released a statement clarifying her comments about Israel and 'Snow White.' 'I was honored to join an extraordinary interview with inspiring interviewers, whose questions go straight to the heart,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories. Advertisement 9 Gal Gadot in an Instagram photo. 9 Gal Gadot. Instagram 'Sometimes we respond to questions from an emotional place. When the film came out, I felt that those who are against Israel criticized me in a very personal, almost visceral way,' the Israeli star continued. 'They saw me, first and foremost, as an Israeli, not as an actress. That's the perspective I spoke from when I answered the question.' Gadot added: 'Of course, the film didn't fail solely because of external pressures. There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails, and success is never guaranteed.' Advertisement 9 Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen in 'Snow White.' Walt Disney Co. 9 Gal Gadot in 'Snow White.' Walt Disney Co. Gadot, who played the Evil Queen in 'Snow White,' explained on 'The A Talks' that she believed the movie's success was 'affected' by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 'I can always explain and try to give people in the world context about the situation and the reality in Israel, and I always do that,' she shared. 'But at the end, people make up their own minds. And I was disappointed that the movie was incredibly affected by all of that and that it didn't do well at the box office.' Advertisement 9 Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler in 'Snow White.' Giles Keyte 'But it is what it is, you win some, you lose some,' she added. The Disney flick, which was directed by Marc Webb, cost between $240 million and $270 million to make but only grossed around $205 million. The film suffered criticism for using CGI to create the seven dwarfs, while Gadot and her co-star Rachel Zegler created controversy after voicing opposing views about the conflict still unfolding in Gaza. 9 Gal Gadot, Rachel Zegler in 'Snow White.' Walt Disney Co. Despite the drama reportedly igniting tensions between the two actresses, Gadot spoke highly of Zegler, 24, during her interview last week. 'I really enjoyed filming that movie, I really had fun. Even working alongside Rachel Zegler. We laughed and we talked, we had fun,' the 'Wonder Woman' actress said. 9 Gal Gadot. gal_gadot/Instagram Advertisement 9 Rachel Zegler attends a 'Snow White' screening in New York on March 20. Getty Images for Disney In March, Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was interrupted by Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters. It was also reported that Disney had to beef up Gadot's security due to her pro-Israeli stance. Zegler, for her part, dealt with backlash for calling the 1937 original movie 'dated' and 'weird.' She also referred to the Prince character as a 'stalker.'
Skift
5 hours ago
- Skift
Experience Abu Dhabi's New Campaign Puts Kids in Charge of the Family Holiday
This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. Experience Abu Dhabi is flipping the script on family travel marketing by asking a simple question: What if kids designed their ideal vacation instead of parents? That idea is at the heart of 'Kids Recommended,' a new initiative within Experience Abu Dhabi's larger summer campaign, 'Totally Recommended.' Drawing on insights from over 7,000 children aged five to 12 and their parents across nine countries, including France, Italy, Germany, China, the U.K., the U.S., India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, the campaign reimagines what a family holiday looks like and who gets to define it. 'We've seen strong growth in summer visitation to Abu Dhabi over the past few years, and families are driving much of it. We wanted to understand the family segment more deeply, so rather than just asking parents, we decided to go straight to the source: the kids,' said Emma Campbell, sector marketing director at DCT Abu Dhabi. The Research Behind the Strategy Experience Abu Dhabi commissioned a study across nine markets to better understand family travel preferences and help shape its summer campaign. One number stood out: 74% of parents said they chose destinations based on what their kids would enjoy most. This insight became the basis for new thinking in both experience design and marketing. The research revealed three core themes: Connection beats content: Despite the dominance of screens, 90% of surveyed children said they wanted to make new friends on holiday. Social interaction matters more than passive entertainment. Imagination drives choice: 89% said they wanted to step inside the worlds of their favorite games or films, and 85% wanted to role-play as astronauts, zookeepers, or race-car drivers. Preferences are highly local: U.K. kids craved surprise adventures (93%), French children ranked water play highest (97%), Indian kids put museums on their must-do list (75%), and Chinese kids prioritized calm family time (89%+). The myth of a universal 'family audience' clearly doesn't hold. The data challenged the standard one-size-fits-all approach to family travel messaging and informed content priorities across markets. 'One consistent message from parents was: if the kids are happy, we're happy. So, it made sense to center kids in the research,' said Campbell. 'The big takeaway for us was that family travel is deeply personal, and kids must be included in the planning process. They're savvy and valuable co-decision makers.' Designing Experiences That Feel Personal The real test of the 'Kids Recommended' campaign was whether the research could materially influence the traveler experience. Could the data go beyond strategy decks and inform what travelers see, do, and share on the ground? That question led to the creation of a seven-day 'Kid-Recommended Itinerary,' co-created with children during facilitated workshops. Instead of adults projecting what they thought kids wanted, the process allowed young participants to articulate their ideal trip, such as how each day should start and what kind of pace made it fun rather than exhausting. The final itinerary reflects a curated blend of high-energy activity, cultural engagement, downtime, and discovery. Highlights include: A day in the mangroves for kayaking, nature spotting, and gentle exploration Take part in rich cultural experiences at the House of Artisans, with weekends filled with heritage discovery, stories, and interactive activities. Themed adrenaline with a triple hit of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld Museum moments at Louvre Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi A desert night under the stars, where families gather for stargazing, folklore, and unplugged connection 'We tailored our messaging to match what families in each market wanted and built a Kid-Recommended Itinerary based on what children asked for: mixing play, discovery, and rest. Kids even get a sticker-book passport at hotel check-in to track their trip,' said Campbell. 'We're also working with partners like Etihad and Miral to carry the family-first theme through every touchpoint.' The itinerary alone isn't the differentiator — it's how Abu Dhabi has packaged and promoted it that reveals the deeper strategy. The emirate launched a series of family-first incentives to add value: Kids Go Free (through September 30): One child under 12 gets free park entry, hotel stay, and meals with every paying adult. Summer Camp Staycations: Select hotels now run structured day camps so children can explore while parents decompress without leaving the property. Layered on top are short-form videos from young content creators from key markets including China, Italy, U.S., India, and Saudi Arabia that show the itinerary in action. These creators weren't given scripts — they were given access, freedom, and a camera. The resulting videos do what polished ads often fail to do: generate trust. Why read a brochure when a 10-year-old can show you? 'The whole team tapped into their inner child for this campaign. It allowed us to reimagine destination storytelling in a more playful, participatory way,' said Campbell. Building a Future-Proof Family Brand According to Campbell, DCT Abu Dhabi sees 'Kids Recommended' as a step toward a longer-term shift in how it approaches family travel. The goal is to stay responsive to how modern families travel, plan, and choose where to go. Infrastructure is one area where that future is already taking shape. The destination is expanding its mix of experiences with upcoming cultural icons like the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Theme parks and wildlife attractions will sit alongside world-class galleries and heritage spaces, all within a short radius. That means less transit and more memory-making. However, the real shift may be behind the scenes. The campaign's underlying methodology illustrates how Experience Abu Dhabi approaches product development and content strategy. 'We rely on structured insight to guide how we build campaigns and shape visitor experiences. The research plays an ongoing role. We keep listening to families, looking at behavior, and turning that into action,' said Campbell. According to Campbell, future content will follow the same rulebook: different markets will continue to receive customized messaging, formats, and tone. 'We're building something that grows with families. Their needs keep evolving, so we stay close to the data and the audience and keep adjusting. The goal is to create experiences that feel personal, imaginative, and lasting,' Campbell said. To learn more about family-friendly attractions in Abu Dhabi, click here. This content was created collaboratively by DCT Abu Dhabi and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.
CNN
5 hours ago
- CNN
Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for first time
The Middle East Israel-Hamas warFacebookTweetLink Follow Beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub will become the first woman to represent Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said in a statement sent to CNN on Sunday that it was 'pleased to confirm' that Ayoub would represent Palestine at the Miss Universe 2025 competition, which takes place in November. 'The Miss Universe Organization proudly welcomes delegates from across the globe, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of women,' the statement reads. 'Ms. Ayoub, an accomplished advocate and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that define our platform,' it adds. Ayoub will join competitors from more than 130 other countries and territories at the 74th Miss Universe final, which will be held on November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand. 'We look forward to welcoming Ms. Ayoub on the Miss Universe stage, where she will proudly represent Palestine, standing alongside contestants from every corner of the world,' MUO said in the statement. Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine back in 2022, according to Abu Dhabi-based news outlet The National. Posting on Instagram on Thursday, Ayoub said she wanted to be a voice for the Palestinian people. 'I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe,' she wrote in the caption. 'As Palestine endures heartbreak — especially in Gaza — I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see,' Ayoub added. 'We are more than our suffering — we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.' The decision to include a Palestinian entry in the beauty pageant comes amid growing international criticism of Israel's war in Gaza. At least 62,004 people have been killed in the strip since the start of the conflict in October 2023, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement published Monday. Authorities in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters when reporting casualty figures, but the health ministry and the United Nations say the majority of deaths are women and children. As the war continues, a growing number of countries are pledging to recognize a Palestinian state, with more than 145 nations now joining the call for international recognition. Most recently, Australia, Canada and France announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, while the United Kingdom has conditionally said it will recognize it if Israel does not meet criteria that include agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. CNN's Annette Choi and Lauren Kent contributed to this report.
