Gal Gadot slammed over Israeli-Hamas post calling for peace amid reminders she served in army

Gal Gadot is at the centre of controversy over her post about the Israeli-Hamas violence. 

The Wonder Woman shared a heartfelt statement on social media on Wednesday, calling for peace in her native Israel and expressing her concern for family in the area. 

However, she angered many by referring to Palestinians as ‘neighbours’ and people have shared reminders that she served in the Israeli army. 

Sharing their disappointment in the post, one Twitter user said: ‘Corrections, @GalGadot : Palestine deserves to live as a free and safe nation, the Palestines deserve to live as a society free from fear of attacks during the holiest time of the year. Have the courage to mention the name of “your neighbor”: the Palestines.’ 

Another critic weighed in: ‘Gal Gadot’s statement is far worse than that tone-deaf imagine video from last year. “Free and Safe”. The same state that is perpetrating military occupation, land theft and ethnic cleansing against the people of Palestine. #FreePalestine.’ 

Harkening back to Gadot’s time in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), one said: ‘Just another reminder that Gal Gadot served in the IDF for two years where she not only witnessed the ethnic cleansing of Palestine firsthand but also actively supported it.’ 

There were others speaking out in defence of Gadot, with one supporter chiming in: ‘I see her getting hate but all she’s saying is she’s worried for her family & the victims on both sides of the war yes Israel are the oppressors yet her family is still subjected to violence.’ 

‘Why do people like to take some ones message of love and peace and use it to spread hate and cancel some one,’ another said. 

Defending Gadot’s army stint, one fan added: ‘The internet is angry at Gal Gadot because she’s an IDF veteran, which all Israelis are required to serve in for at least two years, and had the audacity to share a heartwarming message for peace in the conflict.’ 

Gadot, 36, has been open about her upbringing in Israel and being enlisted into the army. She told Forward.com in 2011: ‘My parents are sabras. I was born in Tel Aviv and had a normal life until I was 18, just before I was scheduled to go into the army, when I won the [2004] Miss Israel pageant.

‘That was my entrance into the modeling world. I rescheduled my army time and started working as a model [for three years]. Then I went into the army and served as a [fitness] instructor, and when I was released, I was fortunate enough that my first picture was Fast & Furious.’ 

In her controversial statement, Gadot said: ‘My Heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people. 

‘This is a viscous cycle that has been going on far too long. Israel deserves to live as a free and safe nation, our neighbours deserve the same.’ 

She added: ‘I pray for the victims and their families, I pray for this unimaginable hostility to end, I pray for our leaders to find the solution so we could live side by side in peace. 

‘I pray for better days.’ 

Many celebrities have raised awareness about the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Israel, which has seen hundreds of rockets fired in Tel Aviv and other cities. 

Gigi and Bella Hadid and Rihanna are among the stars who have shown support for Palestine.

Metro.co.uk has reached out to Gal Gadot’s rep for comment.

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