Did Gal Gadot serve in the Israeli army? Actress opens up about the ‘shocking’ hate she’s faced

Gal Gadot, the 39-year-old Wonder Woman star opened up about her background in a recent interview. The actress, who received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star on March 18, 2025, spoke about the hate she has received due to her Israeli identity.

Gadot, who has been on promotional tours for her recent live-action release, Snow White, spoke to Variety about using her stature as an international artist to speak up about Israel amid the country’s war with Hamas. Gadot said,

“I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea, and also by how the media is not fair many times. So I had to speak up.”

Gal Gadot served in the Israeli army for two years. According to Glamour Magazine, the actress became a combat trainer after passing a three-month-long boot camp with flying colors.

As per the Israeli Defense Forces’ website, all Israeli citizens above 18 years of age, who meet certain criteria, must serve in the army. For women, the minimum period of compulsory service is 24 months.

In the Variety interview, Gadot spoke about the relevance of artists who provide hope to people through their work in the entertainment industry. She said,

“After October 7th, I don’t talk politics — because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? I’m an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world”

Continuing, Gadot emphasized the distress of Israeli people who were impacted by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. She stated,

“But on October 7th, when people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent.”

Calling for peace, Gadot stressed the importance of maintaining humanity, saying,

“I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages…I am praying for better days for all. I want everybody to have good life and prosperity, and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment.”

Gal Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

2017’s Wonder Woman was defined by Deadline as being the 6th “most valuable blockbuster” of the year due to Gadot’s channelization of bravado. The film catapulted Gadot instantly to the global stage, with her and director Patty Jenkins becoming the most powerful female entertainment duo who gave another hit, Wonder Woman 1984.

Jenkins was present at the March 18 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, where she spoke onstage to honor Gal Gadot. Jenkins said,

“When people think of actors, all they imagine is the glamor, but the truth is Gal has had the least glamorous job I can imagine and yet never stopped from giving powerful performances, somehow always being the happiest, kindest, most loving, most heroic person on the set!”

Gadot’s Fast & Furious franchise co-star, Vin Diesel, also spoke at the ceremony to pay tribute to the actress who played Gisele Yashar in the franchise.

Gadot attended the ceremony with her husband and four daughters in tow. During her speech, Godot teared up as she remembered driving past the street 15 years ago with her husband. Gadot said,

“Standing here today on this street, Jaron, 15 years ago we came here and we were driving by this boulevard, who would have ever thought that [I] would get such an honor.”

Numerous protestors were present across the road from Gal Gadot's ceremony though, with USA Today noting that both pro and anti-Israel signs were displayed at the site.