'The Runner' Star Gal Gadot Gets Tearful at Wiesenthal Gala, Issues Stark Warning on Rising Antisemitism

Gal Gadot has become one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices against antisemitism. At the Anti-Defamation League’s Never Is Now summit in March 2025, the ‘Wonder Woman’ star received the International Leadership Award. More recently, she was named the 2026 Genesis Prize laureate, an annual $1 million award recognizing Jewish contributions to humanity.

This week, she took that message to one of the industry’s most closely watched charity dinners. On Wednesday evening, the Simon Wiesenthal Center held its Humanitarian Award Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire, honoring Skydance co-CEO Ynon Kreiz. Gadot joined Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Ellison to present the award.

Her speech started lightly and became one of the most emotional moments of the night. Gadot, 41, had been smiling as she told the crowd how Kreiz once delivered his baby daughter in a car pulled over on a busy London street. Moments later she grew tearful, paused, said she hadn’t expected to get emotional, and apologized.

When she continued, her tone was serious. Speaking about the October 7 attack and the war that followed, she said, “I’m frightened by how quickly hatred of Jews is spreading — and how openly it is expressed and accepted,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

She also warned against complacency. “If people get used to hearing and seeing hatred and looking the other way, then where does it end?” she asked the audience. She ended her remarks by speaking directly to Kreiz. Gadot praised the joy and passion he brings to his family and work, and encouraged him to keep shining his light.

Kreiz, 61, accepted the center’s 2026 Humanitarian Award. Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk said the board chose him months before Skydance offered him the job, citing his lifetime of work and his openness about being both Israeli and Jewish.

In his speech, Kreiz thanked Ellison for his support of Israel and condemned the rise in antisemitism since October 7. He also said that disagreement with the Israeli government’s policies cannot become an excuse for hatred of Jews.

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He also spoke about his family history. During a Nazi raid, his 9-month-old mother hid in a closet with her older sister while their parents were out seeking visas. The family escaped that night and found refuge in Scotland.

Several other guests had a part in the evening. Iranian advocate Elica Le Bon received the Medal of Valor for her activism, TV anchor Bianna Golodryga received the Jewish Heritage Award, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a recorded video message.

Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival and rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024, also attended. Kreiz said that while she and other hostages were held in Gaza, they fantasized about seeing ‘Barbie’ if they got out, a film he championed during his time at Mattel.

Gadot’s activism is also becoming part of her film work. She is producing, with an eye to star in, an adaptation of Golodryga and Yonit Levi’s book ‘Don’t Feed the Lion’ at Fox Entertainment Studios. She and her husband, Jaron Varsano, are developing the project through their company Pilot Wave Motion Pictures, together with Moriah Media, the Wiesenthal Center’s film production division. The gala was also a major fundraiser. Last year’s Los Angeles dinner raised $4.3 million, and organizers hoped to top that figure this time.