Israeli Hollywood star Gal Gadot found herself in a heated public controversy following her appearance at this week's Golden Globe Awards. At the center of the storm – the absence of the yellow hostages pin from her attire during the ceremony.
The affair began when Gadot, who presented one of the awards at the prestigious ceremony, appeared on stage without the pin associated with the campaign to free Israeli hostages in Gaza. Following public criticism in Israel, Gadot's team stated that she was prohibited from wearing the pin due to "ceremony rules".
However, in an official response obtained by YNET, the Golden Globes organizers firmly denied this claim: "There is no policy against political accessories, pins of any kind were not prohibited, including in Gal Gadot's case. Any other claim is completely false".
In their full statement, the organizers clarified: "The Golden Globes has no policy prohibiting the wearing of pins or other symbols supporting, or perceived to support, political or social causes. Over the years, wearing pins and symbols has been part of the ceremonies for various causes and issues, and we do not restrict what guests choose to wear".
Hours before the ceremony, Gadot posted to her numerous Instagram followers, addressing the hostages' situation: "On a personal level, while I'm preparing for a festive and exciting evening, my heart is heavy and my soul is tormented by the fact that the hostages are still there". Instead of the pin, Gadot chose to wear a yellow ring.
Reactions in Israel were swift. TV host Ophira Assayag attacked sharply: "One small pin with great significance for the whole world to see wouldn't have ruined your dress". Assayag later added in a video: "You would have come out super-big and super-Israeli if you had said 'without the hostages pin, I'm not going on stage'".
The affair sparked heated discussion on social media, with some users supporting Gadot, claiming "she's not Israel's private property", while others accused her of prioritizing career considerations over solidarity with the hostages' issue.
The controversy reflects the complex tension between commitment to national values and professional considerations in the international arena, raising questions about Israeli celebrities' role in representing the country on the global stage.
Update (01.09.2024):
Following public opinion outcry, actress Gal Gadot clarified that she was not prevented from wearing the hostages solidarity pin during the prestigious Golden Globe Awards ceremony. In a statement to YNET, Gadot emphasized that "I was never restricted in any way regarding wearing the pin at the ceremony". She firmly added that "certain elements chose to spread baseless rumors", and stressed the paramount importance of focusing attention on the hostages' issue.
Simultaneously, an official clarification was issued by the Golden Globes management, stating that "there is no existing policy against wearing political symbols, and no restrictions were placed on wearing pins of any kind, including in Gal Gadot's case" (YNET).
It's worth noting that before the ceremony, Gadot posted on Instagram calling for the immediate release of the hostages. During the event itself, the actress chose to wear a yellow-tinted ring as a gesture of solidarity (Walla! Celebs).
Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, Content per Section 27a
