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Actress Gal Gadot delivered an emotional tribute to Skydance co-CEO Ynon Kreiz at the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Humanitarian Award Dinner on November 11, fighting back tears as she praised his leadership during a period of rising global antisemitism. The event took place at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles.
Gadot Speaks Out on Rising Antisemitism
Gadot, best known for her role as Wonder Woman, told the audience she fears how rapidly hatred of Jewish people is spreading. “I’m frightened by how quickly hatred of Jews is spreading — and how openly it is expressed and accepted,” she said. “Since the Oct. 7 massacre and the war that followed, I have found myself asking how far this can go.”
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She also raised concern about public indifference. “If people get used to hearing and seeing hatred and looking the other way, then where does it end?” she asked. However, she said leaders like Kreiz give her reason for hope. “He’s standing firm. He feels what our community is going through. He’s sticking up against antisemitism,” she told the crowd. “That leadership is like a beacon of light.”
Kreiz Honored as Skydance Co-CEO
Kreiz joined Skydance as co-CEO in late September, following the company’s merger with Warner Bros. and Paramount. David Ellison, who serves as chairman and CEO, appointed Kreiz to oversee daily operations and manage integration of the combined businesses. Before joining Skydance, Kreiz served as CEO of Mattel for eight years.
During his own remarks, Kreiz echoed Gadot’s message. “Disagreement with the policies of the Israeli government cannot become an excuse for the hatred of Jews,” he told the audience. He also thanked Ellison for his “bold stand for Israel and the Jewish people” and called on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel to “remain unshakable.”
Ellison, who spoke earlier in the evening, described Kreiz as a hands-on leader. “He does not just talk about what he believes in; he lives by those beliefs,” Ellison said. “When something needs to be done, he acts.”
Industry Leaders Add Their Support
DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg also praised Kreiz during the evening’s introductory remarks. He acknowledged that leading Skydance represents the “biggest job of his career.” Katzenberg expressed strong confidence in the company’s future. “This is a huge responsibility and one which can actually determine the very future and the vibrancy of Hollywood,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Kreiz outlined the values he plans to bring to Skydance. “We recognize that business leadership comes with a moral obligation,” he said. “We intend to use talents and influence for good, and we expect to be held to that standard.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a human rights organization dedicated to combating antisemitism and all forms of hate. Its annual Humanitarian Award is the organization’s highest honor. Other recipients at the gala included Elica Le Bon, who received the Medal of Valor, and Bianna Golodryga, who received the Jewish Heritage Award.
