The media and entertainment agency’s CEO Ari Emanuel criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of poor leadership after the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Emanuel’s company owns the UFC and WWE, and has historically had quite a bit of influence on Hollywood’s elite.
He denounced the prime minister during the Simon Wiesenthal Center gala in Beverly Hills, where he was presented with the Jewish organization’s Humanitarian Award, its highest honor.
‘This is a painful and crucial moment for all of us who are Jews and who love Israel. “This is not the time to remain silent,” Emanuel said Wednesday night.
‘Israel is not being led by a problem solver, but by a problem creator. It is an agent of chaos, hatred, division and destruction. And that’s enough. “Bibi Netanyahu is a failure.”
The media and entertainment agency’s CEO Ari Emanuel (pictured) criticized Israel’s prime minister for his poor leadership following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
In the photo: Emanuel giving his speech at the Simon Wiesenthal Center gala in Beverly Hills, where he was presented with the Jewish organization’s Humanitarian Award, its highest honor.
Emanuel’s speech received mixed support: some audience members clapped in agreement, while others jeered disapprovingly; some even left the Beverly Wilshire Hotel during his speech.
The audience was star-studded, with the likes of Larry David, Robert Kraft, Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The director general, whose family had ties to Israel, said Netanyahu “does not want a peaceful solution” to the conflict. “And it has become clear that reaching a political solution and Netanyahu remaining in power are irreconcilable paths.”
“In terms of his responsibilities to keep the people of the State of Israel and Jews around the world safe, he has obviously failed spectacularly,” Emanuel said. “But he has achieved great success by using division to stay in power.”
Known for his influence and outspokenness, Hollywood powerhouse Ari Emanuel took a strong stance against anti-Semitism two years ago.
Emanuel denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) during the Simon Wiesenthal Center gala in Beverly Hills, where he was awarded the Jewish organization’s Humanitarian Award, its highest honor.
After Kanye West, now known as Ye, made offensive comments, Emanuel urged companies to cut ties with the artist. This call to action resulted in major brands like Adidas and Gap ending their collaborations with Ye.
In 2006, Emanuel took a hard line against Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic outburst during a drunk driving arrest. He wrote a public letter advocating for a Hollywood boycott of Gibson, stating that alcoholism “does not excuse racism and anti-Semitism.”
Years later, Emanuel accepted Gibson’s apology and even supported his return to the film industry.
The Hamas attacks on October 7 caused devastating losses for Israelis, with around 1,200 dead and more than 250 kidnapped, according to Israeli sources.
Gaza health officials report that Israel’s military response has tragically claimed more than 35,000 lives and displaced many others. This conflict has deeply divided American society, including the entertainment industry.
The Hamas attacks on October 7 caused devastating losses for Israelis, with around 1,200 dead and more than 250 kidnapped, according to Israeli sources.
While acknowledging the tragic civilian casualties in Gaza, Emanuel defended Israel’s actions. He stressed that ‘Israel did not start the conflict. Hamas did so and considered his response justified.
However, he did not shy away from the seriousness of the situation, stating: “The loss of even an innocent child is a tragedy.”
He also took aim at the “from the river to the sea” slogan used by some pro-Palestinian groups, arguing that it implies the elimination of Israel, which he equated with “genocide.”