Israeli actress Swell Ariel Or, star of "The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem", which found an international audience after being picked up by Netflix, has become increasingly involved in pro-Israel advocacy in the United States and recently drew widespread attention with remarks about antisemitism in Hollywood.
Where did you make the remarks that went viral?
“At ICC’s annual conference, an American umbrella organization that supports pro-Israel student groups on college campuses. I appeared alongside Capt. Karni Gez, commander of the IDF’s first all-female tank company, which fought on October 7.
“I play her in Ayelet Menahemi’s film 'The Tankists: Wild Company', and together we told the story of her heroism and that of the women who fought alongside her, each from a different perspective. I was proud to represent my country.
Swell Ariel Or
(Photo: Shir Shalom)
When did you decide to become involved in Israeli advocacy?
“After October 7, I opened a fund to raise money for reservists who returned to Israel after receiving emergency call-up orders and had to pay for their flights themselves.
“I began speaking at events across the United States to raise money for the fund and quickly realized how little many people understood about who we are and what we are going through. I do it independently, without any funding or payment.”
Aren’t you afraid that speaking out could hurt your career?
“Even when I don’t talk about Israel, I encounter antisemitism. Just being Israeli and having served in the IDF is enough for some people to view us differently. It hurts, but I told myself, ‘If I can’t change that, I can at least try to do something positive.’”
How much did 'The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem' open doors for you in Hollywood?
“It opened doors because the series was on Netflix and found success around the world. It tells the story of a Sephardic Jewish family living in Jerusalem under the British Mandate. After it aired, I began auditioning for roles, but once the war started, I put that aside to focus on advocacy and because I felt increasingly unwelcome there.”
Did attitudes toward you really change that much?
“I wouldn’t necessarily say the attitude got worse, but there is a kind of ‘subtle’ antisemitism. In today’s politically correct environment, directors, producers and casting directors won’t say it outright. But before an audition, they Google me, see that I served in Unit 8200 and founded a fund for reservists, and form opinions about me before we even meet.”
How does that manifest itself?
“For example, I was at a social event where, as soon as people heard I was Israeli, the host, a very prominent figure in Hollywood, told me, ‘It would have been easier for everyone if you had gone to Uganda.’ I found myself explaining our history to him. The only person who defended me was a Lebanese fashion designer who happened to be there.
“At another audition, I mentioned that friends of mine had been murdered at the Nova music festival, and their reaction told me everything. There was no empathy. After about 30 seconds, they said, ‘Thank you, we don’t want to waste your time. It’s just not the role for you.’”
Did that affect your desire to become an international actress?
“It didn’t change the desire, but it changed the goal, because I realized that the cultural elite I wanted to be part of wasn’t what I thought it was. I discovered what modern antisemitism looks like in intellectual circles. It isn’t like it was in the past, through violence, but through exclusion, a lack of empathy and a lack of respect. Now my most important goal is to show the real Israel to the world through advocacy.”
What else are you working on besides advocacy?
“I’ve just finished filming the third season of 'The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem', and I’m now working on a short film about my family’s eviction from the home where I grew up on the Tel Aviv beachfront. We lived there for decades before the municipality declared us trespassers and issued an eviction order.”
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Take ownership of your story, the good, the bad and the ugly.”
And the worst advice?
“Find a rich husband.”