On March 15, while actor Gal Gadot was being honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the ceremony faced delays due to pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests. This is because Gal Gadot is an from Israel and has constantly been in support of her country.
In the above context, an image is being widely shared on social media in which a star was smashed with a hammer. The image was shared with a caption suggesting that Gadot’s star was smashed by some pro-Palestinian protestors.
A social media user shared the image with a caption that reads, “Israeli actress Gal Gadot’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been smashed up by British Just Stop Oil activists holidaying in Los Angeles.”
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral image is old and the destroyed star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame belonged to US president Donald Trump.
On a reverse image search, we found the same image on a website, Trib Live, published on July 25, 2018. The report stated that Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was vandalised. Los Angeles police reported that a suspect was subsequently taken into custody.
We further found that another website, Vice, also published the image on August 16, 2018. The report suggested that Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was repeatedly vandalised—due to widespread public dissent against his policies and behaviour. In response, the West Hollywood City Council passed a resolution urging its permanent removal, citing his disturbing treatment of women among other reasons.
Another website, Culled Culture, also reported the incident.
Therefore, we conclude that the viral claim is false.
