BEVERLY HILLS — Israeli actress Gal Gadot became emotional while honoring Skydance co-CEO Ynon Kreiz at the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2026 Humanitarian Award Dinner, praising him for confronting antisemitism amid what she described as a growing climate of anti-Jewish hatred, according to Variety. The event took place on November 11, 2026, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Gadot joined Skydance chairman and co-CEO David Ellison and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg in presenting Kreiz with the award. The Simon Wiesenthal Center described the Humanitarian Award as its highest honor and recognized Kreiz for his philanthropic work, including initiatives during his eight years as chairman and CEO of Mattel.

Gadot’s remarks

“I’m frightened by how quickly hatred of Jews is spreading — and how openly it is expressed and accepted,” Gadot told the audience, per Variety and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

She linked her concern to the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the war that followed. “Since the Oct. 7 massacre and the war that followed, I have found myself asking how far this can go,” Gadot said. “If people get used to hearing and seeing hatred and looking the other way, then where does it end?”

Gadot, who is Israeli and Jewish, then praised Kreiz as a source of hope. “What gives me hope is that people like Ynon aren’t wavering,” she said. “He’s standing firm. He feels what our community is going through.”

“He’s sticking up against antisemitism,” Gadot continued. “He’s bringing his intense conviction and heart to this fight. He’s leading.”

Kreiz accepts award

Kreiz, who holds Israeli, British and American citizenship, used his acceptance speech to address antisemitism directly. He thanked Ellison and Skydance for taking what he called a “bold stand for Israel and the Jewish people,” according to Deadline via Yahoo and the Wiesenthal Center.

“We recognize that business leadership comes with moral responsibility,” Kreiz said. He also said that disagreement with Israeli government policy “cannot become an excuse for the hatred of Jews,” adding that “the fight against antisemitism is a fight against hatred in any form.”

The center said his recognition reflected broader humanitarian work, including global charitable programs during his tenure at Mattel and support for education and research at Tel Aviv University, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

Corporate context

Kreiz received the award just over a month after Paramount Skydance completed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on October 6, 2026, according to CBS News and Reuters. The transaction created the combined company known as Skydance, bringing together film studios, television networks and streaming platforms.

Ellison named Kreiz co-CEO in late September 2026. Ellison oversees strategy, creative direction and technology, while Kreiz manages day-to-day operations and the integration of the merged businesses.

IAC response

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Israeli-American Council (IAC) congratulated Kreiz and echoed Gadot’s concerns. The organization said no Jewish actor, writer, employee or student should have to fear professional or social consequences for speaking about antisemitism or expressing support for Israel.

“Opposing hatred of Jews should not require an act of professional courage,” the IAC said. “And when it does, something is deeply wrong.”

Hollywood’s response

The dinner brought together prominent entertainment figures, including Ellison, Katzenberg, Vin Diesel, Jerry Bruckheimer and HBO executive Casey Bloys, TheWrap reported. Their presence came as public debates over antisemitism, Israel and artistic expression have grown increasingly charged.

Gadot’s remarks followed her earlier criticism of Hollywood figures who, she argued, had silenced artists who support Israel. She named no individuals at the dinner, but her comments reflected a broader concern among some Jewish and Israeli entertainment professionals that pro-Israel views can carry professional or social costs.

The wider debate

The event occurred amid ongoing tension in Hollywood over how to distinguish criticism of Israeli government policy from antisemitism. Kreiz addressed the distinction directly, saying defending Israel does not mean it is beyond criticism, but that criticism should not become a pretext for hatred toward Jewish people.

Gadot’s speech focused instead on the normalization of anti-Jewish rhetoric and violence. Her warning that society must not become accustomed to hatred echoed a central concern of Jewish advocacy groups: that indifference can let prejudice become more socially acceptable over time. Whether the evening’s message translates into industry action will likely depend on how media companies respond to antisemitic incidents, workplace discrimination and public discourse in the years ahead.

Gadot’s tribute captured the mood of the evening: alarm at the spread of antisemitism, but hope that visible leadership can counter it. As Skydance enters a new corporate era, Kreiz’s acceptance of the Humanitarian Award places him, and the company he helps lead, squarely within that debate. Read more at The Times of Israel.

Khurram Ali Raza
Reports for the World Desk at Faith & Freedom News (FFN).