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This Week in Gal Gadot: Embracing a President, Claiming a Title

No end of wonder

by
Liel Leibovitz
November 15, 2017
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Actor Gal Gadot attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Justice League' at Dolby Theatre on November 13, 2017 in Hollywood, California.Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Actor Gal Gadot attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Justice League' at Dolby Theatre on November 13, 2017 in Hollywood, California.Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

“This is what happens when you attempt to ambush Wonder Woman: The instant your hands fall upon her, she’s already holding them—your hands are her hands now. The next second is a blur. Your body goes earthward, and your arms get trapped by hers, forcing you to crumple over … You are at Wonder Woman’s mercy.”

Damn straight you are.

The quote above is from Caity Weaver’s cover story for GQ’s woman of the year issue, the honor, of course, going to everyone’s favorite superhero. Calling Gal Gadot a “real-life badass,” Weaver traveled to Tel Aviv earlier this year to observe the movie star in her natural habitat.

More recently, however, Gadot reported to duty in Los Angeles, where she attended the premiere of Justice League, opening this weekend worldwide, where she’ll be reprising her role as you-know-who. Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, just happened to be in town, and although he couldn’t join Gadot for the screening, he dropped by on the red carpet ceremony to say hello to his favorite citizen.

“We have known you and loved you since you appeared in the TV series Asfur eight years ago,” the president told Gadot. “Even then we knew you’d be great. I am so proud and happy to meet you, a real and beloved ambassador for the State of Israel, who has succeeded in representing us in the worldwide-film industry, with Israeli values and an Israeli smile.”

Touched, Gadot told Rivlin that, even in Hollywood, his warm embrace made her feel at home. There’s truly no end to wonder.

Liel Leibovitz is editor-at-large for Tablet Magazine and a host of its weekly culture podcast Unorthodox and daily Talmud podcast Take One. He is the editor of Zionism: The Tablet Guide.