Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, known for speaking out against antisemitism, gave a powerful speech when he accepted the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Humanitarian Award on Wednesday.
“This is a painful and important time for Jews and those who care about Israel, and we can’t stay silent,” Emanuel said. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of the Israel-Gaza war, saying Netanyahu should step down for Israel’s sake. Emanuel’s speech led to mixed reactions, with some people applauding and others leaving in anger or booing.
Emanuel stressed that Hamas started the war on October 7 and that Israel has the right to defend itself. “All wars are brutal, and innocent people suffer, but some wars are necessary. Israel didn’t start this war; Hamas did,” he said. He condemned the slogan “From the river to the sea” as a call for genocide against Jews and emphasized that Hamas could end the war by freeing hostages.
Emanuel also called for a political solution to the broader conflict with the Palestinians, advocating for a two-state solution that brings peace and security to everyone. He criticized Netanyahu for making peace harder to achieve and accused him of only wanting to stay in power, not solve the conflict.
He concluded by urging Israelis to choose new leadership that can bring peace, emphasizing the Jewish principle of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. Emanuel’s speech highlighted his strong stance on antisemitism and his call for change in Israeli leadership to secure a better future.