Outspoken Hollywood super-agent Ari Emanuel made headlines this week when he called for the ousting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Emanuel condemned Netanyahu for not seeking more peaceful solutions to the conflict in Gaza following a horrific attack by Hamas on October 7. While accepting an award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Emanuel stated that Israel would never be truly secure with Netanyahu in charge and that he should step down for the good of the country.
These remarks by Emanuel sparked a mixed reaction from attendees at the Beverly Hills gala where he was receiving the humanitarian award. Some individuals applauded his bold stance, while others expressed disagreement with his opinion and even walked out during his speech. Emanuel criticized Netanyahu for not wanting a peaceful solution and claimed that it was clear that achieving a political solution and keeping Netanyahu in power were irreconcilable paths.
Emanuel further emphasized that Netanyahu had failed in his responsibilities to keep the people of Israel and Jews around the world safe, suggesting that the Prime Minister had used division to maintain his power. The audience at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel where the gala took place included other entertainment industry heavyweights such as Larry David, Mark Wahlberg, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Emanuel, known for his outspokenness, previously called for ending business ties with Kanye West after the rapper made antisemitic remarks.
Ari Emanuel, who played a significant role in the merging of WWE and UFC into the TKO Group, has a personal connection to politics through his brother Rahm Emanuel. Rahm, who is now serving as Joe Biden’s ambassador to Japan, has had previous roles as the mayor of Chicago and Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff. In November, Rahm’s Michigan home was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, highlighting the family’s ongoing experiences with anti-Jewish sentiment.
Emanuel has a history of addressing instances of antisemitism in the entertainment industry, as demonstrated by his open letter in 2006 calling for a boycott of Mel Gibson after the actor’s antisemitic rant during a drunk-driving arrest. Despite initially cutting ties with Gibson after allegations of assault, Emanuel later accepted an apology from the actor and supported his return to the industry. Reports suggest that Wahlberg played a role in reconciling Emanuel and Gibson after forming a friendship with the actor.
