'Golda' star Helen Mirren meets Israeli president in Jerusalem

Academy Award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren visited with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal on Thursday evening, following the opening ceremony of the annual Jerusalem Film Festival, where the newly-released film “Golda” will be premiering.

Mirren stars in the biographical drama that zooms in on the life of Israel’s iconic former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir during the turbulent time of the 1973 Yom Kippur War in Israel.

The 77-year-old actress thanked Herzog and his wife for their warm greeting and told them she was honored to portray Meir in the film.

“Golda is one of the greatest roles to play. I was a young woman when she was elected, and to see a woman leading a complex country like Israel was a seminal moment,” she told the Israeli president and first lady.

Accompanied by Israeli filmmaker Guy Nativ, Mirren told the Herzogs, “I am often asked if I see a connection between the great female leaders I have portrayed. The closest connection I see to Golda is Queen Elizabeth I in terms of her absolute dedication to her country. She had great charm.”

“Golda was an important figure who bravely led the government. She was a historical figure and had a significant influence on our social structure,” Herzog said during their visit.

“I am often asked if I see a connection between the great female leaders I have portrayed,” Mirren continued. “The closest connection I see to Golda is Queen Elizabeth I in terms of her absolute dedication to her country. She had great charm.”

Mirren received an achievement award earlier in the evening for her portrayal of the legendary Meir at the film premiere. The 40th Jerusalem Film Festival festival will continue through August 23.

Ukrainian-born Meir, whose family fled to America in 1906 due to violent antisemitism, has emerged as a symbol of national freedom against the Russian military who invaded the country in February 2022. Some Ukrainians were inspired to join the fight.

Meir served as Israel’s prime minister – the first woman ever to become a head of government in the Jewish state – during the years 1969-1974 and passed away in 1978.

She led vital fundraising efforts for Israel's fledgling army while it faced the invasion of hostile Arab armies on multiple fronts and later became known as “The Iron Lady” among Israelis.

Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, credited Meir for her instrumental role in saving Israel during the War of Independence and its critical rebirth in 1948.

An American bi-partisan initiative recently introduced the Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Act, which would mint a coin in honor of Israel’s legendary first and only female prime minister and the State of Israel’s 75th anniversary.