Gal Gadot, the star of “Wonder Woman,” was born in Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces for the compulsory two years. Her remark on the recent conflict between Israel and Palestine attracted criticism from fans.

The Wonder Woman actor was trending on Twitter on Wednesday after sharing the following on Instagram: “My heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people. This is a vicious cycle that has been going on for far too long. Israel deserves to live as a free and safe nation. Our neighbors deserve the same. I pray for the victims and their families, I pray for this unimaginable hostility to end, I pray for our leaders to find the solution so we could live side by side in peace. I pray for better days.”

Gadot’s comment sparked a firestorm of criticism on Twitter, with some criticizing her choice of the word “neighbors” instead of mentioning Palestine by name, as well as her support for Israel during the country’s brutal attacks on the Palestinians.

While people can no longer reply to the tweet, they can still repost and comment on it, which resulted in the star’s name trending on the platform.

Gadot’s remark comes days after an altercation between Israeli police and Palestinian demonstrators devolved into Gaza-based rocket attacks on Tel Aviv and a series of Israeli military airstrikes. At least three Israelis were killed in the rocket attacks, which were mainly stopped by Israel’s sophisticated missile-defense system. According to NBC News, the airstrikes destroyed a multistory apartment complex and killed as least 30 Palestinians, including ten children.

While some high-profile figures, like US Senator Ted Cruz, applauded Gadot for her comments, many others were outraged.

“God bless Gal Gadot,” Ted Cruz tweeted.

Writer-activist Aaron Vallely wrote, “Gal Gadot’s statement is far worse than that tone-deaf imagine video from last year. ‘Free and Safe.’ The same state that is perpetrating military occupation, land theft and ethnic cleansing against the people of Palestine. #FreePalestine.” Singer-songwriter James Kennedy wrote, “Gal Gadot is wrong. Israel is not at ‘war’ with Palestine. Israel is butchering Palestine. Again.” Journalist Ben Norton wrote, “Israeli soldier turned Hollywood’s Wonder Woman multimillionaire Gal Gadot sends meaningless thoughts and prayers as the Israeli apartheid regime she supports ethnically cleanses Palestinians and bombs Gazans in an open-air prison camp.” Meanwhile, The New Inquiry editor in chief Ayesha A. Siddiqi retweeted a writer slamming Gadot’s comment that said, “this is an amazing victory for passive voice heads. gone are the days of officer involved shootings. now we have nation involved wars! imagine indeed…”

Gadot’s service in the Israel Defense Forces has already caused controversy. Because Gadot is Israeli, Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy prohibited the distribution of “Wonder Woman” in 2017. While Israel and Lebanon are still legally at war and do not have formal diplomatic ties, the two nations have had a truce in place since 2006.

Some people accused Gadot of pushing “propaganda” for Israel, while others likened her attitude to that of Israeli-born actress Natalie Portman, who reposted a Viola Davis post with educational information regarding the issue.

Gadot’s call for peace was questioned by Twitter user @thetaeprint, who cited the actress’s service in the Israel Defense Forces from 2005 to 2007:  “Reminder Gal Gadot served in the IDF for two years where she not only witnessed the ethnic cleansing of Palestine firsthand but also actively supported it. How can you advocate to stop the vicious cycle of terror when you are standing on the frontlines enabling it #FreePalestine.”

“Gadot” was trending on Twitter, according to political writer Ben Jacobs, who added that “trending” is “an interesting euphemism on Twitter’s part for [Gadot] being bombarded with vile and anti-Semitic attacks online.”

Gadot became involved in a feud with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2019 about the country’s Arab minority’s status.

In the midst of debate over the role of Israeli Arab parties in approaching elections, the Israeli actress remarked, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

Recent days have witnessed the worst bloodshed between Israel and Palestinian factions since 2014, with the confrontation intensifying over the last Ramadan weekend.