Ari Emanuel Accepts Simon Wiesenthal Center Honor, Slams Netanyahu
“For the good of Israel he should go,” declared Ari Emanuel, the CEO of the Endeavor agency and one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices in the fight against antisemitism, as he accepted the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s highest honor, the Humanitarian Award, at the organization’s National Tribute Gala on Wednesday evening.
The event was emceed by Emmy winner Alex Borstein, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. And Emanuel took to the stage after being introduced by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Tyler Perry.
Emanuel famously does not mince his words, especially on matters related to antisemitism and Israel. In recent years, he led the industry’s boycott of Kanye West after the rapper went on an antisemitic tirade; and he slammed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to prevent the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.
The SWC fundraiser has taken place since 1977 and brings together many of the most powerful and influential people in the business, Jews and non-Jews alike.
In a video played for the audience, friends shared testimonials, including his brothers Rahm and Ezekiel Emanuel, Larry David, Robert Kraft, his mother Marsha, Mark Wahlberg, sons Ezra, Leo, Noah and daughter Ashlee, Rick Rosen, Nancy Josephson, Adriana Alberghetti, Richard Weitz, Ron Perelman, Hakim Benvader, Sally Shaywitz, Mark Shapiro, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, Sarah Staudinger, Dana White, Dwayne Johnson and Christian Muirhead.
Past recipients of SWC’s Humanitarian Award include Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Cruise, Billy Crystal, Jim Gianopulos, Jon Feltheimer, George Clooney, Eddy Cue, Bob Iger, Katzenberg, Ted Sarandos and, last year, Shari Redstone.
Among the chairs of this year’s event were Katzenberg, Redstone, Haim Saban, Eric Schmidt, Mark Shapiro and David Zaslav, while Marc Andreesen, Michael Dell, James Dolan, David Ellison, Roger Goodell, Ynon Kreiz, Donna Langley, Ron Perelman, Joe Roth, Tom Rothman, Jennifer Salke, Iger and Sarandos were all co-chairs.
Attendees also included Emanuel’s longtime client Larry David and his former college roommate and filmmaker Peter Berg.
This was the first major SWC event to take place under the oversight of Jim Berk, who succeeded SWC founder and longtime chief Rabbi Marvin Hier earlier this year.
In addition to Emanuel, SWC also honored Gabriella Karins, a Holocaust survivor, and Danielle Sassi, a survivor of the October 7 attack on the NOVA Music Festival, with Medal of Valor awards.
More to come.
