Gal Gadot wins Israel’s Genesis Prize for her wartime support

Israeli actress Gal Gadot has been awarded the prestigious Genesis Prize, widely known as the “Jewish Nobel,” for her steadfast support of Israel during a time when many in the entertainment industry have been critical of the country’s actions in Gaza.

The “Wonder Woman” star, who described herself as a “proud Jew and a proud Israeli,” will donate the $1 million prize to organizations dedicated to helping Israel recover from the prolonged conflict with Hamas. “Israel has endured unimaginable pain,” Gadot said in a statement released Tuesday. “Now we must begin to heal — to rebuild hearts, families and communities.”

The Genesis Prize Foundation presents the annual award to individuals who demonstrate professional excellence, contributions to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values. Recipients traditionally donate their prize money to causes aligned with their personal convictions, such as combating antisemitism, advancing women’s rights, or promoting economic justice.

Stan Polovets, co-founder and chair of the Genesis Prize Foundation, commended Gadot for her “moral clarity and unwavering love for Israel,” noting that her advocacy has come at significant personal and professional cost.

Gadot’s support for Israel has remained unwavering throughout the Gaza conflict, which began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken. The actress has actively campaigned for the release of hostages, met with families of those captured, and promoted screenings of documentary footage showing the Hamas attack.

Her advocacy has not been without consequences. Gadot suggested that anti-Israel sentiment contributed to the poor performance of her film “Snow White” earlier this year. During her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in March, pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed nearby. More recently, hundreds of film industry professionals signed a petition urging the Venice Film Festival to rescind her invitation, though festival organizers rejected the request.

The Gaza conflict has been particularly divisive in Hollywood. While Israel initially received international sympathy following the Hamas attack, global opinion shifted as Israel’s military response intensified. According to Gaza health officials, more than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory, which has suffered widespread destruction. The conflict finally saw a ceasefire agreement reached last month.

The negative sentiment toward Israel has been particularly pronounced in entertainment circles, with hundreds of industry workers recently pledging to boycott the Israeli film industry entirely.

Gadot joins an illustrious list of Genesis Prize laureates that includes filmmaker Steven Spielberg, violinist Itzhak Perlman, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and entertainer Barbra Streisand. The most recent recipient, Argentine President Javier Milei, traveled to Jerusalem in June to accept the 2025 award.

The Genesis Prize Foundation has not yet announced a date for Gadot’s award ceremony, which is expected to take place next year.

Despite the controversy surrounding her stance, Gadot’s selection highlights the complex intersection of celebrity, politics, and international conflict. Her willingness to maintain her public support for Israel despite professional backlash underscores the often challenging position entertainers face when addressing geopolitical issues, particularly those involving their home countries.