The owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, accepted Israel's prestigious Genesis Prize at a lavish ceremony on Thursday, where he pledged $20 million to establish a foundation dedicated to combating anti-Semitism and the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
In his keynote address, Kraft told the audience of Israeli and international dignitaries that he was "humbled and blessed" to accept the award, vowing that his new foundation would seek to tackle the rising tide of anti-Semitic vitriol online.
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"I believe we can use this platform of social media to make a genuine and lasting impact on the rising tide of hate," he said, "especially against our people."
Kraft was awarded the 2019 Genesis Prize in recognition of his philanthropy and consistent commitment to combating anti-Semitism. Organizers said his foundation would continue his efforts against anti-Semitism, as well as the Palestinian-led BDS movement and "other efforts to delegitimize Israel."
The $1 million award is granted each year to a person recognized as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel does not have a more loyal friend than Robert Kraft."
He welcomed what he called Kraft's stand against "efforts by our enemies to undermine the State of Israel."
In his speech, Kraft elaborated on his love of football, strong connection to Israel and commitment to Judaism.
"These are most disconcerting times to the country I love so much," he said, lamenting that anti-Semitism appears to have gone mainstream, with a major news outlet like The New York Times recently running an anti-Semitic cartoon and members of the U.S. Congress tweeting anti-Semitic remarks.
"Social media is now a platform for hateful and vile rhetoric," he said.
Kraft described his deep bond to Israel, saying that he has led 27 missions and visited the country "a hundred times" since his honeymoon with his late wife in 1962.
Dozens of VIPs showed up to the invitation-only event, hosted by comic Martin Short, including 15 active and former Patriot players who accompanied Kraft to Israel, as well as leaders of major Jewish organizations, top business and political figures, and the prime minister.
Kraft and his delegation were hosted beforehand at the Prime Minister's Office, where they presented Netanyahu with a signed Patriots helmet and posed for a joint picture along with the Vince Lombardi Trophy they won at this year's Super Bowl. Netanyahu thanked Kraft for his friendship, his longtime support and for boosting American football in Israel, where it has resonated with native-born Israelis who have taken a liking to the army-like strategy, camaraderie, and collisions of the gridiron.
"Everything you need in your game, Israel needs in its game," Netanyahu told the players. "You need strategy and courage and ingenuity, we have that too."
Kraft is the sixth winner of the prestigious prize, following former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, violinist Itzhak Perlman and sculptor Anish Kapoor. Last year's winner, Natalie Portman, snubbed the event because she said she did not want to appear to be endorsing Netanyahu. The saga was troubling for the foundation, which says it works hard to prevent its philanthropy from being politicized.
Kraft is the founder, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, the holding company of a diversified portfolio of businesses, which includes one of the largest privately-owned paper and packaging conglomerates in the world. He is best known, however, as owner of the six-time Super Bowl champion Patriots, one of the most successful franchises in American sports.
Kraft, who grew up in an observant Jewish home, is a well-known philanthropist in Israel, with deep connections to politicians across the political spectrum – including Netanyahu, whom he's known for decades. Though a Democrat, he is also friendly with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Kraft is also the driving force behind the growth of American football in Israel in recent years. He's sponsored the sport since it was launched in 1999, and there are now more than 2,000 active players on more than 80 teams playing at various levels.
In 2017, he dedicated the Kraft Sports Complex in Jerusalem, which includes Israel's first full-sized football field. At the time, he brought a group of professional football Hall of Fame players with him, including well-known stars of the game Joe Montana, Jim Brown, Roger Staubach, and Mike Singletary.
Tom Brady and other Patriots stars have also visited over the years. His current delegation includes kicker Stephen Gostkowski and former greats Drew Bledsoe, Ty Law, Vince Wilfork, Kevin Faulk, and Andre Tippett.
Reigning Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman is also in Israel for the event honoring Kraft.
Asked by Israel Hayom whether he plans to formally convert to Judaism, seeing as he is Jewish on his father's side, Edelman said he in touch with a rabbi and wears his Judaism "proud."
The Genesis Prize was inaugurated in 2014 and is run in partnership between the Prime Minister's Office, the private Genesis Prize Foundation and the chairman's office of the Jewish Agency. It is funded by a $100 million endowment established by the foundation.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been granted the foundation's only lifetime achievement award.
