Israeli Actress Ariel Or Exposes Subtle Antisemitism in Hollywood Amid Advocacy Efforts

Israeli actress and activist Ariel Or spoke out about experiencing modern antisemitism in Hollywood during the annual ICC conference, a US umbrella organization supporting pro-Israel student groups. Or attended alongside Captain Karni Gaz, commander of the tank company that fought on October 7, whose story Or portrays in the film "The Tankists - Wild Company" by Ayelet Menachemi. Or shared how she began advocating for Israel after October 7 by founding a fund to support reservists who paid out of pocket for flights back to Israel under emergency orders. She noticed significant gaps in understanding about Israel and its challenges while fundraising in the US.

Or described the antisemitism she faces as subtle and intellectual rather than violent, manifesting as exclusion, lack of empathy, and prejudice. She recounted an incident at a Hollywood social event where a prominent host told her, "It would have been easier if you had gone to Uganda," reflecting dismissive attitudes toward Israelis. Or also recalled auditions where casting directors showed no empathy upon hearing about her friends killed in Nuba and quickly dismissed her. Despite these experiences, Or remains committed to representing Israel positively and shifting her career focus from international acting to public diplomacy.

Her role in the Netflix series "Beauty Queen of Jerusalem," which tells the story of a Sephardic Jewish family in British Mandate Jerusalem, opened doors in Hollywood but the outbreak of war paused her acting pursuits. Or is currently filming the third season of the series and working on a short film about her family’s forced eviction from their longtime home on the Tel Aviv beachfront. She emphasized the importance of owning one’s story, including its complexities, as the best advice she received.

Or’s testimony highlights the challenges Israeli artists face abroad amid political tensions and the persistence of antisemitism in cultural elites, underscoring her dedication to educating global audiences about Israel’s reality through advocacy and storytelling.