Israeli actress Gal Gadot became visibly emotional this week while discussing the rapid increase in antisemitism. Her remarks were delivered to an audience in Beverly Hills on Wednesday during an event hosted by the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The gathering served to honor Ynon Kreiz, the co-chief executive officer of the American entertainment firm Skydance, who received the organization’s humanitarian award.
Gadot began her address by sharing a personal anecdote about Kreiz. She described how the media executive delivered his baby daughter while his car was pulled over on a busy street in London. As she transitioned from this story, her tone shifted to a more somber register, reflecting her concerns about the current global climate.
With tears in her eyes, Gadot told the crowd that she is frightened by how quickly hatred of Jews is spreading. She noted that this sentiment is not only increasing but is also being expressed and accepted more openly than before. She questioned the audience about the potential endpoint of this trend, asking where it ends if people become accustomed to seeing and hearing hatred only to look the other way.
The actress emphasized the historical weight of this issue, stating that Jewish history provides every reason to take the question of unchecked hatred seriously. Her comments resonate with growing concerns regarding antisemitism that have surfaced since the October 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel by the Hamas terror group, which subsequently triggered the war in Gaza.
Ynon Kreiz also addressed the theme of antisemitism in his acceptance speech. The Israeli media executive argued that disagreements with the policies of the Israeli government should not be used as a justification for hatred toward Jews. He further stressed that the relationship between the United States and Israel must remain unshakable.
Kreiz shared his own family’s history of escaping Nazi persecution, a story reported by the Kan public broadcaster. He explained that his mother was an infant when she and her older sister hid in a closet during a Nazi raid in Vienna. The family fled that night and eventually found refuge in Scotland.
The ceremony was attended by former hostage Noa Argamani. She was abducted by Hamas terrorists from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and was later rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024. President Isaac Herzog also participated in the event by delivering a prerecorded video message to congratulate Kreiz.
CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga was present at the gala, where she received the Jewish Heritage Award. Golodryga co-wrote the children’s book Don’t Feed the Lion with Israeli journalist Yonit Levi. The book deals with antisemitism in a middle school setting, and Gadot is currently producing a screen adaptation of the work.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed its gratitude for Gadot’s attendance at the 2026 Humanitarian Award Dinner. In a social media post, the organization thanked her for her fearless advocacy, describing her presence as an inspiration to the community.
