Gal Gadot votes in Israel after receiving honorary degree

Gal Gadot cast her ballot in Israel's Knesset election on Tuesday morning, joining an estimated 70,000 Israeli citizens who traveled from abroad to vote.

The actress, who resides primarily in Los Angeles, shared a video on Instagram showing herself at a polling station in what appeared to be an ordinary setting. In the clip, she spoke in Hebrew while retrieving an envelope and stepping into the voting booth. She described the act as the most basic and important democratic right and urged viewers to vote for whoever they believe in.

Gadot invoked the Hebrew phrase pa'amim ki tov, which translates to a double blessing, referencing the biblical creation account. As Tuesday is the third day of the week in Israel, the expression carries specific cultural weight. She expressed hope that the election would bring only good outcomes for the country.

The voting took place after a series of high-profile events in Israel. On Monday, Gadot received an honorary doctorate from Bar Ilan University during a gala celebrating the institution's 70th anniversary. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff also received an honorary degree at the same ceremony.

In her acceptance remarks, reported by JNS, Gadot addressed the emotional state of the Jewish community. She stated that people in Israel and abroad have experienced loss, fear, and uncertainty. She noted that antisemitism persists and is not disappearing. Speaking as an Israeli and Jewish woman working internationally, she described a distance between her home and the external portrayal of Israelis. She said, "No matter how far I travel, Israel's always my home. These are my people, my family."

She characterized the upcoming election as potentially the most momentous the country has seen in years. She emphasized the need for citizens to show up and use their civic responsibility toward the men and women who call the country home. Gadot is set to appear on the comedy show Eretz Nehederet on Tuesday night after the polls close.

Gadot currently stars in the Prime Video thriller The Runner and will appear in the upcoming Fast and Furious film, Fast Forever. She is originally from Rosh HaAyin and lives with her husband, Jaron Varsano, and their four daughters.