International artists face boycotts for supporting Israel
Several international artists and public figures face public backlash, event cancellations, and boycott campaigns over statements or activities perceived as supporting Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, CNN Indonesia reported.
Gal Gadot Faces Ongoing Scrutiny Over Military Background and Statements
Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress known for her role as Wonder Woman, became a primary target for criticism after posting a message on Instagram on October 8, 2023, declaring, “I stand with Israel, you should too. The world cannot be neutral when these horrific acts of terror happen!” She also advocated for the release of hostages held by Hamas. The controversy resurfaced during the promotional campaign for the film Snow White in 2025, where the project faced boycott calls tied to her background as a former member of the Israeli military and her public stance. Long before the current conflict, Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy banned the release of Wonder Woman in 2017 due to her nationality and mandatory military service. Meanwhile, no official evidence links casting choices for the new DC Universe directly to the boycott campaigns.
Noah Schnapp Confronts Stranger Things Fan Backlash and Issues TikTok Clarification
Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in Stranger Things, drew heavy criticism in November 2023 after a video surfaced showing him and others holding stickers that read “Zionism Is Sexy” and “Hamas Is ISIS.” Prior to that video, Schnapp posted a message following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack asserting that individuals must either stand with Israel or with terrorism. The posts prompted threats from fans on social media to boycott the final season of the series. In January 2024, Schnapp posted a video on TikTok stating that his views had been misinterpreted. “I just want peace and safety and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict,” he said.
Brett Gelman Encounters Book Tour Cancellations Across California and Illinois
Brett Gelman publicly voiced support for Israel after the October 2023 attacks, using social media to criticize Hamas and entities he labeled antisemitic. According to the Los Angeles Times, that stance triggered cancellations for his debut book tour. Book Passage in San Francisco and Book Stall in Winnetka, Illinois, canceled scheduled events in February 2024, followed by Book Soup in West Hollywood canceling his appearance in March 2024. Book Passage objected to statements it characterized as rash and inconsiderate toward various social and ethnic groups, while Gelman suggested antisemitic sentiment drove the rejections.
Indonesia Denies Entry Visas and Permits for Israel Houghton Tour
In Indonesia, gospel singer Israel Houghton faced the cancellation of his planned concert with his group, Israel & New Breed. The Indonesian government refused to issue event permits or entry visas for the performance, scheduled for October 24, 2026. Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra announced the decision following cross-agency coordination involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and the Indonesian National Police. Yusril stated that any activity running a high risk of undermining the Palestinian cause would not be permitted to proceed within the country.
P!nk Responds to Controversy Following Macklemore Controversy
P!nk drew criticism in September 2026 after publicly challenging rapper Macklemore over his “Free Palestine” declaration during an Ed Sheeran concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, 2026. P!nk shared a post from the group StopAntisemitism that characterized Macklemore’s performance as anti-Israel propaganda. Actor Javier Bardem shared a petition via Instagram Story since September 21, 2026. P!nk, who has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2015, subsequently clarified on social media that she disagreed with the wording in the shared post.
