I can't watch children die'

Rachel Zegler and other Hollywood celebrities continue to speak out against Israel

Rachel Zegler, set to play the lead in Disney's Snow White remake, has taken an unflinching stand for Palestine, and the cost has been substantial. Her vocal support over the past year has placed her at odds with many, including her co-star Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen. Gadot, an Israeli actor who served in the Israel Defence Forces, has markedly different views, and as The Guardian reported in August, this ideological clash has turned the dynamic between the stars into anything but a fairytale.

Zegler, who graces the cover of Variety's October issue, clarified that her stance on Palestine is deeply rooted in her humanity, not tied to the success or failure of Snow White. Addressing the tensions surrounding her, Zegler reflected on the overwhelming tragedy. "I can't watch children die," she told Variety. "I don't think that should be a hot take."

The controversy first sparked in August when Zegler ended a tweet thanking fans for supporting Snow White with a message to "free Palestine." It didn't take long for media outlets like Newsweek to claim Zegler was on a "collision course" with Gadot, while Fox News jumped in with headlines declaring, "Rachel Zegler stirs more controversy." Meanwhile, BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) urged a boycott of Snow White for including Gadot in the cast.

Zegler, however, insisted that her advocacy was not political posturing. "I'm only responsible for what I feel. And I'm also responsible for how I act upon it," she explained. "We're nearing one year since October 7, but I've been following this conflict for so many years. Like so many people, I'm so heartbroken by the loss of life that we're seeing with these insane death tolls coming out of both regions."

Speaking out on the Israel-Palestine conflict in Hollywood is undeniably a risky move, one that can lead to career consequences, but Zegler remains resolute. "I don't have the answers," she confessed. "I don't think any celebrity making a political statement has the answers. But we have the platform to share a donation link to make sure that these people get the money, the care, and the aid that they need that people in power aren't giving them."

Through the Variety profile, it's clear that Zegler understands the weight of her influence and the responsibility that comes with it. "If that means that it can fall upon us to be in power in a way that is helpful, then I'm happy to do it," she concluded.

Across Hollywood, Zegler is far from the lone voice of support for Palestine. Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo, for example, is consistently vocal about his pro-Palestine stance and has been openly sporting an Artists4Ceasefire badge at public events this year. On October 3, Ruffalo took to X to laud fellow actor Javier Bardem's public condemnation of the ongoing genocide at the San Sebastian film festival in Spain last month.

"Thank you Javier Bardem for your decency, your courage, and love for all human beings," tweeted Ruffalo. "You are a beacon of light, amigo."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bardem was accorded the festival's prestigious Donostia Award, and used the opportunity to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and denounce the actions of the Israeli government.

"I welcome [the award] with great joy but I am not in the mood for celebrations," a translation of Bardem's statement in the Spanish press said. "What has happened in Gaza is unacceptable, dehumanising."

As per the publication, the Dune: Part Two actor said he believes the Israeli government is "the most radical government" the country has ever seen and has committed war crimes in Gaza.

"The atrocious and reprehensible attacks by Hamas in October do not justify the massive global punishment that the Palestinian population is suffering," continued Bardem. "I believe that the impunity with which the Israeli government enjoys its actions in Gaza and the West Bank has to change," he added, imploring the US and UK in particular to reconsider their "unconditional support" for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During the festival, on San Sebastian's most famous beach, La Concha, protestors wrote pro-Gaza messages in the sand for all on the promenade to read.

As well as Zegler, Ruffalo and Bardem, rapper Saint Levant added his voice to the chorus of Palestinian support. The 23-year-old multilingual musician, whose real name is Marwan Abdelhamid, took to his Instagram Stories to post an image of himself at a concert amid a backdrop of Palestinian flags, along with the words, "Imagine thinking you can censor us."

In June this year, Saint Levant paid homage to his Palestinian roots by announcing the release of his second album, Deira, in honour of a now-demolished hotel of the same name in Gaza. An active presence on social media, the artist took to Instagram to share the news of the album with his fans. "I am really proud of this body of work that took me a year to create," he wrote upon the album's release. "I'm honoured to share it with you."

The album, consisting of eight songs, envisions a future return to a free Palestine. The project was met with raptures from his online community, ringing a particularly strong chord amid the horrifying backdrop of the atrocities ravaging Gaza.

"You made art that is so beautiful and so important now more than ever," wrote one fan in the comments section. "These songs are crafted with so much love - thank you for sharing them with all of us. Incredibly proud of you."