Cliff Notes – Five arrested over protests at Gal Gadot’s London film set – The days of free speech is over
- Five protesters were arrested for harassment and obstructing access to a workplace during disruptions at the filming of Gal Gadot’s new movie in London.
- The protests were reportedly motivated by Gadot’s vocal support for Israel, leading to significant disruptions at various filming locations.
- Police have stated they will not tolerate unlawful interference with professional work, emphasising the importance of balancing peaceful protest with public order.
Five arrested over protests at Gal Gadot’s London film set
Five people have been arrested over protests at the London set of Gal Gadot’s new film as critics warn, the days of free speech is over in the UK.
Five protesters have been arrested after they allegedly targeted the filming of Gal Gadot’s new movie in central London.
Demonstrators have disrupted filming at various locations across London in recent weeks, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force said the film was targeted ‘solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli’.
The 40-year-old, who has been vocal in her support of Israel, is currently be filming thriller The Runner, and was seen in action on London’s central canals earlier this month, when a protest halted production.
Police were deployed to a filming location in Westminster on Wednesday to identify suspects wanted in connection with offences at earlier protests and to deal with any new offences, Scotland Yard said.
Five people were arrested for harassment
Five people were arrested for harassment and offences under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, which deals with wrongfully and unlawfully obstructing access to a workplace. They remain in custody.
She was filmed in action on London’s canals earlier this month
The actress has been a vocal supporter of Israel in the past which has become a big contentious issue for those who oppose the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Two of the arrests relate to incidents at previous protests while three relate to offences that took place on Wednesday, the force said.
Superintendent Neil Holyoak said: ‘While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality.
‘We have been in discussions with the production company to understand the impact of the protests on their work and on any individuals involved.
‘I hope today’s operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London.’
On May 1 police were pictured in a commotion on Camden Road, just above the canal where filming was taking place.
Her casting in Snow White also caused controversy
Gadot – who stars in the film alongside Damien Lewis – was escorted off set and replaced by a body double as activists waved flags, banged drums and shouted ‘stop bombing Palestine’ through a megaphone, it was reported at the time.
The actor, who previously served in the Israeli Defence Forces, has previously voiced her support for Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, leading to heated criticism.
This comes after the Disney revamp of Snow White, released in March, faced boycott calls with pro-Palestine groups protesting against the Wonder Woman star’s casting in the film as the Evil Queen.