# 135: Barlow Can You Go, with Sarah Alami

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gNcp1TRlTo
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/0gNcp1TRlTo
Generated: 2025-08-21T23:00:41.858+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

Actress Sarah Alami joins the podcast to discuss her experiences as an outspoken critic of Israeli actions, detailing professional repercussions like lost work and friendships, while also highlighting the historical context of Palestine and critiquing celebrity silence and misinformation, particularly referencing Gal Gadot's comments on the Snow White remake's performance and the broader implications for public discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

**Key Points:**
- Actress Sarah Alami asserts that speaking out for Palestine in Hollywood does not lead to rewards, refuting claims by Gal Gadot that pressure to criticize Israel caused the Snow White remake to flop; Alami states that celebrities who have been vocal against Israel have faced negative consequences.
- Alami shares her family's history, including 12th-century land ownership in Jerusalem and her DNA confirming her Palestinian heritage, directly countering narratives that Palestine was an empty land before Israel's creation.
- She details personal repercussions for her activism, such as losing work and friends, and notes a pervasive 'shameful silence' among many in the entertainment industry regarding the conflict.
- The podcast criticizes figures like Maia Morgenstern and Dalia Kurtz for perceived hypocrisy and misinformation, and expresses strong disapproval of Gal Gadot's 2014 post praying for Israeli soldiers amidst civilian deaths in Gaza.
- The hosts and Alami express disappointment with Chef José Andrés for posing with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, viewing it as a disrespectful use of his organization for propaganda after the actions taken against Palestinian civilians.
- The conversation emphasizes the need to understand the historical context and grievances that led to events like October 7th, arguing that justifications for Israeli actions are becoming increasingly hollow as documented evidence of destruction and civilian casualties mounts.

**Context:** This episode of the 'Bad Hasbara' podcast features actress Sarah Alami, known for her outspoken stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The podcast hosts, Matt Leeb and Daniel Mate, engage with Alami to discuss the challenges faced by individuals in the entertainment industry who advocate for Palestine, the historical context of the land, and the broader geopolitical narratives surrounding the conflict. Alami shares her family's deep roots in Palestine and her personal experiences with professional backlash for her activism.

## Detailed Analysis

The podcast features actress Sarah Alami, who discusses her activism and the challenges faced by those speaking out against Israeli actions within the entertainment industry. Alami shares personal experiences of losing work and friends due to her outspokenness, noting a pattern of silence from many in Hollywood. She contrasts this with her own family's deep historical roots in Palestine, citing 12th-century land ownership in Jerusalem and the ongoing struggle for recognition and access. The conversation also touches on historical narratives surrounding Palestine, debunking claims of an empty land before Israel's creation and drawing parallels to the treatment of Native Americans in the US. A significant portion of the discussion critiques celebrity responses, specifically mentioning Gal Gadot's comments about the Snow White remake's box office failure being linked to pressure to speak out against Israel, which Alami and the hosts vehemently refute, highlighting historical instances of celebrities facing repercussions for pro-Palestinian stances. They also criticize figures like Maia Morgenstern and Dalia Kurtz for perceived hypocrisy and misinformation. The episode further explores the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, questioning the narratives surrounding events like October 7th and emphasizing the need to understand the historical grievances. The hosts also express disappointment with Chef José Andrés's photo with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, viewing it as a betrayal of victims.

### Guest Introduction

- Actress Sarah Alami joins to discuss activism and industry pressures
- Alami's family history in Palestine detailed
- Critique of celebrity silence and misinformation

### Historical Context of Palestine

- Debunking claims of an empty land
- Parallels drawn to US history of displacement
- Family's 12th-century land ownership in Jerusalem

### Industry Repercussions

- Alami's experience with lost work and friends
- Common patterns of silence and fear among celebrities
- Critique of Gal Gadot's statements on Snow White remake and pressure
- Rejection of the idea that speaking for Palestine is rewarded

### Critique of Specific Figures

- Disappointment with Maia Morgenstern and Dalia Kurtz's perceived hypocrisy
- Criticism of Gal Gadot's 2014 stance on Israeli soldiers
- Disapproval of Chef José Andrés's photo with Israeli President Herzog

### Broader Conflict Analysis

- Questioning narratives around October 7th
- Emphasis on historical grievances and context
- Observation of a shift in public opinion against Israeli actions
- Documented evidence of destruction and civilian casualties

### Podcast Operations

- Mention of merchandise drop and upcoming shows
- Discussion of YouTube subscription trends
- Promotion of Doctors Without Borders

