‘Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ star says she experienced antisemitism in Hollywood

Swell Ariel Or, the star of the Netflix series “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,” says in an interview on Channel 12 that she has repeatedly experienced antisemitism in Hollywood.

“People in Hollywood interact with us with pretty significant antisemitism,” she says.

She can recall “many instances” of antisemitism in Hollywood, she notes.

She says that when she auditions, she assumes those who are evaluating her have searched her name online and can see that she served in the IDF and is an outspoken supporter of Israel.

“That’s what they see,” she said. “I think it will change in the future.”

She adds, “I think most of them are scared or ignorant but that’s still what they see before [they see] the acting, before the talent.”

Swell Ariel Or: "I care about honest representation of who we are. I care that the world will learn about Sephardic Jews, about Israeli women in combat." pic.twitter.com/9xfmtINBCd

— ICC (@israelcc) August 3, 2026

Earlier this week, she spoke out at a conference about how there should be more stories told about “Sephardic Jews, about Israeli women in combat.” She also said she would love to play the part of a college student facing antisemitism on campus.

“The reactions from people in the United States are a matter of debate,” she tells Channel 12 about those remarks. “Some of them are very supportive and understanding and some don’t understand the critique itself.”

She adds, “We must keep telling stories about the Holocaust and Ashkenazi Jews and Haredim but our history is so much broader than that.”