Acclaimed actress Gal Gadot received the International Leadership Award at the Anti Defamation League's Never Is Now Summit, ADL reported on Tuesday, boldly declaring her Jewish identity during a powerful acceptance speech that addressed rising antisemitism worldwide.
"I am proud to be Jewish and proud to be an Israeli," Gadot told the audience at the ADL event, which gathered over 4,000 attendees at New York's Javits Center. "But this is a time when many of us in the Jewish community have had to find our voice and confront the hatred against us, even if it's extremely uncomfortable."
The award recognizes Gadot's advocacy against antisemitism and support for Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks. "However much you tried to avoid it before, even if speaking up wasn't really your thing, none of us can ignore the explosion of Jew-hatred around the world anymore," Gadot continued in her remarks.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of ADL, praised Gadot's courage during the ceremony. "A hero both on screen and off, Gal Gadot has been an unshakable force in the fight against antisemitism," Greenblatt stated. "At a time when antisemitism is rising at a staggering pace, she has refused to stay silent."
The Never Is Now 2025 Summit on Antisemitism and Hate, described by organizers as the world's largest gathering dedicated to fighting antisemitism and bigotry, featured global leaders, activists, students, policymakers, and business executives among its participants.
Video: Gal Gadot receives the International Leadership Award at ADL's summit. Credit: ADL
In her acceptance speech, Gadot emphasized the importance of speaking out during challenging times. "And that is what I am doing. No AI needed. It really is me, standing in front of you today, saying, simply, that my name is Gal, and I am Jewish," she declared. "And we have had enough of Jew-hatred. So we are here, together calling for the release of every single one of our hostages. We have to bring them home."
The International Leadership Award honors individuals whose advocacy and leadership have made significant contributions to combating hate globally. Past recipients include comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and Maurice Levy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe.
Gadot has used her platform to amplify the voices of survivors following the Oct. 7 attacks, while also calling for the release of hostages and pressing global institutions to address violence against Israeli women. Her efforts included hosting a private screening to reveal the horrific documentation of the attack and urging the United Nations and women's rights organizations to demand justice.
ADL, founded in 1913 with the mission "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all," continues its work as a leading anti-hate organization combating antisemitism, countering extremism, and fighting bigotry worldwide.
