Israeli actress Gal Gadot is staying away from the Venice Film Festival in the wake of a political row over whether she should attend.

The actress is the star of one of the films which will be premiering in Venice this year, called In The Hand of Dante.

However, Gadot and her co-star in the movie, Gerard Butler, are facing criticism for their perceived endorsement of Israel during its military actions in Gaza.

The concern is that Gadot, aged 40, might become a focal point for protests amidst scheduled demonstrations against Israel, seemingly set to interfere with the red carpet event on Saturday.

This year sees heightened security measures, with a fortified barricade surrounding the group of theaters at the heart of the festival and a strong police presence. Participants and attendees are subjected to body scans, bag inspections, and security passes for scrutiny.

The advocacy group Artists4Palestine has called for festival organizers at the Venice Biennale to retract invitations extended to both Gadot and Butler, as well as any artist or celebrity who openly supports acts deemed genocidal.

Venice Film Festival boss Alberto Barbero confirmed this week that the actress is not coming to Venice.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot is skipping the Venice Film Festival, amid fears she could act as a ‘lightning rod’ for protests

The actress, pictured filming in October 2023, stars in In The Hand of Dante, alongside Gerard Butler

The spokesperson stated: ‘As the Biennale, an Italian cultural institution, we uphold openness and dialogue, choosing not to censor anyone.

‘We’ve been asked to turn down invitations to artists – we will not do that, if they want to be here they will be here.’

He continued: ‘Conversely, we have always been vocal about our profound sadness concerning the events in Gaza and Palestine. The loss of civilian lives, particularly children, as unintended casualties of an ongoing conflict, is deeply troubling.’

Isabella De Monte, Forza Italia MP and deputy head of the party’s Foreign Affairs department, said: ‘Dialogue and a plurality of ideas are the main tools that culture deploys to overcome sectarianism.

‘It’s good that Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco emphasized this to the 1,500 artists who were calling for a boycott of Gal Gadot and her film with Gerard Butler. A reckless protest, because in the eyes of those protesting, Gadot’s only crime is being Israeli.

‘The Venice Film Festival deserves respect.’

The issue is set to dominate the opening days of the Festival, with a demonstration yesterday and a larger march planned on Saturday.

And it certainly seems to be an issue that’s dividing Hollywood and the wider film industry. Brad Pitt is among those who have taken on executive producer roles on the Gaza drama, The Voice of Hind Rajab, which is also premiering in Venice.

The Venice Biennale, which organises the festival, faced demands from pro-Palestine group Artists4Palestine that Gadot be uninvited

Brad Pitt has taken on executive producer roles on the Gaza drama, The Voice of Hind Rajab – also premiering in Venice

Directed by Oscar-nominated Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania with actors Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara also exec producing, the film tells the story of a young Palestinian girl – Hind Rajab – who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last year along with six of her family members. Rajab and her family had been fleeing Gaza City.

Rajab and another cousin initially survived and contacted the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) by phone from the car seeking aid, but she was dead by the time paramedics came to help.

The film includes the real audio of Rajab before her death.

The incident sparked global protests, including at Columbia University, where students renamed an academic building called Hamilton Hall as Hind’s Hall.

Earlier this month, Gadot opened up about the commercial failure of Disney’s Snow White, in which she played the Evil Queen.

Speaking on an Israeli talk show, she said: ‘I really enjoyed filming that movie, I really had fun. Even working alongside Rachel Zegler. We laughed and we talked, we had fun.

‘I was positive the movie was going to be a huge hit. And then October 7th happened, and what happened all over in different industries, not just Hollywood, there was a lot of pressure put on celebrities, actors, creators to post against Israel.

‘And it happened. I can always explain and try to give people in the world context about the situation and the reality in Israel, and I always do that. But at the end, people make up their own minds. And I was disappointed that the movie was incredibly affected by all of that and that it didn’t do well at the box office. But it is what it is, you win some, you lose some.’

The film grossed a total of $200million (£148million) on a production budget of $270million (£200million) plus marketing costs of around a further $80million (£59million).