Gal Gadot Addresses Rising Antisemitism at Simon Wiesenthal Center Gala

Gal Gadot's emotional speech at the Simon Wiesenthal Center gala has been making headlines after she tearfully addressed the rising antisemitism in the world.

The actress, known for her role as Wonder Woman, was honored to be speaking about the evening's honoree, Ynon Kreiz, co-CEO of Skydance. However, Gadot's tone shifted as she began to talk about the Oct 7 massacre and its aftermath. Her voice cracked with emotion as she spoke about the alarming rate at which hatred towards Jews is spreading.

"I'm frightened by how quickly hatred of Jews is spreading, and how openly it is expressed and accepted," Gadot said, her words laced with a sense of urgency. "If people get used to hearing and seeing hatred and looking the other way, then where does it end?" Her speech was met with applause from the audience.

Gadot's emotional response was in stark contrast to earlier moments when she shared a lighthearted anecdote about Kreiz delivering his baby daughter on a busy London street. The actress seemed taken aback by her own reaction, apologizing for getting emotional and taking a moment to collect herself before continuing with her speech.

Kreiz's response to the Ellisons' statement came as a clear endorsement of their views, as he expressed wholehearted agreement.

When questioned about his potential collaboration with actor Mark Ruffalo, whose HBO series now falls under Kreiz's purview, Kreiz skillfully sidestepped the question, shifting focus away from individual personalities and onto the bigger picture.

The remarks preceding Gadot's speech featured Jeffrey Katzenberg tracing David Ellison's path to becoming a media mogul, highlighting his transition from a young producer with a pilot's license to overseeing major studios such as Paramount and Warner Bros.

Katzenberg praised Ellison's choice of Kreiz as his partner in running their new entertainment venture, saying he had made an excellent decision.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center's board of trustees had selected Kreiz for an honor before he was offered a role at Skydance, according to CEO Jim Berk.

Berk clarified that the appointment was not influenced by Kreiz's later business dealings, stating that it was solely based on his lifetime of work. The board was particularly drawn to Kreiz's unapologetic honesty about his identity as both an Israeli and a Jew.

In accepting the award, Kreiz praised Ellison for his unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish people. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, echoing Gal Gadot's sentiments on rising antisemitism worldwide since October 7.

Kreiz shared a personal anecdote about his family's experience during World War II, recalling how his mother and older sister hid in a closet as their parents sought visas elsewhere.

The evening's events also featured remarks from Iranian advocate Elica Le Bon and TV news anchor Bianna Golodryga, who were honored with the Jewish Heritage Award for their contributions to promoting understanding between cultures.

A video message from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was played, conveying his warm wishes to Kreiz and underscoring the importance of unity in the face of adversity. Other notable attendees included Noa Argamani, a young woman who had been kidnapped at a music festival in 2024 but was later rescued by Israeli forces.

Argamani's harrowing experience during captivity was shared by Kreiz, who recalled that she and three fellow hostages would often fantasize about their lives after escape. According to Kreiz, the first thing they hoped to do upon regaining freedom was watch the blockbuster film "Barbie", a project he had championed in his previous role at Mattel.