‘It would have been easier if you went to Uganda’: Israeli actress exposes antisemitism in Hollywood

Israeli actress Swell Ariel Or, best known for her role in The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, which recently premiered on Netflix, has become a vocal pro-Israel advocate in the United States. She first made headlines at the annual conference of ICC, an organization that supports pro-Israel student groups on college campuses. Or appeared alongside Captain Karni Gez, the commander of the IDF's first all-female tank company, who fought during the October 7 attacks.

Or played the role of Ayelet Menahemi in The Tankists: Wild Company, which tells the story of the heroism of women who fought alongside her.

Following the events of October 7, Or established a fund to assist reservists who were forced to pay for their own flights home. Despite her involvement in advocacy, Or has faced antisemitism in Hollywood. She explained that even before the war started, she had begun auditioning for roles, but once Israel faced conflict, she shifted her focus to advocacy.

However, she has encountered subtle forms of antisemitism, such as when a prominent Hollywood figure suggested she would have been better off going to Uganda when she revealed her Israeli heritage.

Or's experience at auditions has been marked by a lack of empathy and respect from those who should have been able to appreciate her talent. She recounted an instance where a director rejected her not long after expressing concern over her friends being murdered in the Nova music festival. Despite the challenges she has faced, Or remains committed to advocating for the real Israel and sharing her family's story through her work.

She is currently filming the third season of The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem and working on a short film about her family's eviction from their home in Tel Aviv. Or's advice for handling life's challenges? Take ownership of your story, good and bad, and her worst advice? Find a rich husband.