Actress Gal Gadot attended the premiere and afterparty for her new film, "The Runner," in Los Angeles on Thursday. Gadot, 41, first appeared on the red carpet in a strapless navy blue gown before changing into a plunging red dress for the afterparty at the Harmony Gold Theater.
The film, set to be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios and released on September 2, stars Gadot as a London lawyer whose son is abducted, forcing her into a dangerous chase across the city. Gadot stated that she had to undergo nine months of training to prepare for the role, as she is not a natural runner.
During filming in London, the production of "The Runner" experienced disruptions from pro-Palestine activists. These protests were attributed to Gadot's Israeli nationality and her past support for Israel's actions in Gaza. The Metropolitan Police reported making arrests during some of these demonstrations.
In May, five individuals were arrested at a Westminster filming site for attempting to disrupt the production. Superintendent Neil Holyoak commented on the police's duty to intervene when protests cross the line into serious disruption or criminality. Protests had occurred over at least 20 days, with activists sharing filming locations on social media and attempting to block access.
One protest on Waterloo Bridge saw demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans directed at Gadot. While officers dispersed the group, no arrests were made at that time. A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a recent operation followed weeks of similar disruption specifically targeting Gadot due to her nationality.
The disruptions drew condemnation, with the Campaign Against Antisemitism labeling the targeting of Gadot as reflective of a wider climate of hostility toward Jewish people in the UK. A spokesman for the organization welcomed the arrests and suggested that the financial implications might be motivating authorities to act.
This experience contrasted with Gadot's previous filming in the UK, such as for "Wonder Woman 1984," which proceeded without incident. The protests surrounding "The Runner" occurred against a backdrop of increasing concern over antisemitism in Britain.