In a private screening at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles on November 8, Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, orchestrated a showing of Bearing Witness to the October 7th Massacre. The 43-minute film, compiled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), presents unfiltered footage of the violent acts committed by Hamas militants against Israeli civilians during surprise attacks last month.
The film, described as “graphic and disturbing,” features raw footage from body cameras, cellphones, dash cams, and security cameras of Israeli victims, Hamas militants, and emergency responders. It captures the gruesome reality of the October 7 attacks, displaying scenes of Israeli families being tortured and killed. The film concludes with horrifying footage of the aftermath of the massacre at the Israeli music festival Supernova, where 260 people lost their lives.
Since October 7, over 1,400 Israeli citizens have been killed, with an additional 200-plus taken hostage. Simultaneously, over 10,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and more than 1,000 people are feared missing under the rubble due to Israeli airstrikes.
The controversial screening in Los Angeles drew attention and protests. Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators clashed outside the Museum of Tolerance, prompting intervention by the Los Angeles Police Department. Pro-Palestine protesters accused the theater of supporting genocide by showing the film, while the pro-Israel contingent highlighted the 200-plus Israeli hostages and the rise of antisemitism worldwide.
Signs at the protest carried messages such as “Anti-Zionism ≠ Antisemitism,” “The Museum of Tolerance is showing a pro-genocide film,” and “Free Palestine.” Reports indicate that several people were pepper-sprayed, and there were unconfirmed reports of detentions. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence on social media, emphasizing the need to prevent tensions from escalating into unacceptable violence in the city.
While reports vary on Gadot’s role in organizing the screenings, the Wonder Woman star allegedly played a key role. Gadot, a former member of the IDF, was reportedly involved in orchestrating the events. However, she was not present at the screening, and her representatives have yet to comment on her involvement.
The screening had around 150 attendees, including Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, Israeli-American CEO of Mattel Ynon Kreiz, Oscar-nominated producer Lawrence Bender, and filmmaker Guy Nattiv. Before the film, Erdan spoke, stating that the video would change the audience’s perception of the Middle East. He labeled Hamas as “sheer evil” and warned that jihadist terror could extend to the West.
The event also featured Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance, who referred to Hamas as “the Nazis of the 21st century.” Additionally, a video was shown with Broadway and Hollywood stars, including Debra Messing and Jeremy Jordan, singing “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The controversial screening underscores the deep-seated tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the event serving as a platform for competing narratives and viewpoints. The clash between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators highlights the challenges of addressing the complex geopolitical issues involved. As discussions continue, how this event will impact public perceptions and contribute to ongoing debates about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains to be seen.
