She was first introduced to Israeli audiences in the title role of "Yael's Friends", a television film. She won the 1992 Israeli Film Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her first feature film role, in "Me'ever Layam" (). Her work in Israel includes the cult comedy "Ahava Colombianit" ("Colombian Love"), as well as Noodle, for which she received the 2007 Israel's Critics' Circle Award for Best Actress, the Israeli Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and Israel's Person of the Year nomination for 2006. Avital stars in "Prisoners of War" (aka "Chatufim"), a Keshet prime-time Israeli TV series, on which the American television series "Homeland" is based. Avital was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series (first season) for her work. The show won Best Drama Series in the Israeli TV Awards.