Calls grow to drop Gerard Butler, Gal Gadot from Venice Festival over Gaza

The upcoming Venice Film Festival is facing mounting pressure from activists and film professionals over its handling of the war in Gaza. More than 1,500 Italian filmmakers have signed a petition under the Venice4Palestine banner, urging the festival to take a stronger stance.

Campaigners demanded the removal of Hollywood stars Gerard Butler and Gal Gadot from the lineup, citing their public support for 'Israel'.

Read more: 'Israeli' Gal Gadot says she’s “alright” as actress

A representative of Gadot claimed she was never officially scheduled to attend. Butler, however, is expected to appear for the premiere of In the Hand of Dante, which also stars Gadot, Oscar Isaac, and Al Pacino.

Organizers of an August 30 protest march in Venice say they aim to “denounce Israel’s genocide in Gaza” and accused the festival of silence on Palestinian suffering.

The Biennale has defended itself, pointing to films like The Voice of Hind Rajab in this year’s program, though activists dismissed the response as insufficient.