Cate Blanchett shows solidarity with Palestinians on Cannes red carpet

Australian actress Cate Blanchett wore a dress on the red carpet in France that featured most of the Palestinian flag’s colors, which many interpreted as a gesture of subtle solidarity with Gaza.

The Oscar-winning star attended the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival for the Monday premiere of The Apprentice. She wore a black off-shoulder Jean Paul Gaultier dress by Haider Ackermann.

The internet quickly reacted to her apparent political fashion statement. Netizens noted the color-blocking of the dress by the Colombian-French designer. The dress had a black front, a pale pink back that appeared white in some photos, and a bright green lining. When Blanchett lifted the dress while posing for photos at the premiere of the Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, the green lining became visible.

Blanchett’s dress on the red carpet closely resembled a Palestinian flag [Getty]

Many pro-Palestinian activists online interpreted Blanchett’s deliberate lifting of the green lining against the red carpet as a subtle display of solidarity with Gazans, as the dress and the carpet’s colors resembled those of the Palestinian flag.

Cate Blanchett at the premiere of the film ‘The Apprentice’ at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 20, 2024.Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

Cate has been vocal about her support for the Palestinian cause, even though she hasn’t formally addressed the question of whether or not her red carpet outfit choice was meant to support the Palestinian cause.

At least 35,647 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been killed by Israel’s relentless military campaign in the enclave, which started on October 7.