On Tuesday, David Schwimmer passionately appealed to his fellow Jewish compatriots in Hollywood to rise up against the surge of antisemitism. His heartfelt remarks resonated during the Anti-Defamation League's annual 'Never Is Now' conference, held in the vibrant city of New York. Schwimmer, a vocal advocate against antisemitism, had previously urged Elon Musk to expel Kanye West from X (formerly known as Twitter) due to his inflammatory antisemitic rants and actions.
"My career has bestowed upon me an extraordinary platform," Schwimmer declared, "a precious opportunity to voice the issues closest to my heart, and on fortunate days, a chance to be heard amidst the cacophony that drowns out so many voices." He continued, "I firmly believe that with this privilege comes a solemn responsibility to wield my voice in times like these—moments marked by peril, bigotry, and violence."
Schwimmer acknowledged the costs associated with speaking out, sharing, "Speaking truth to power often exacts a price. Like countless others, I've faced attacks and threats from strangers. I've been deserted by individuals I once considered friends and organizations I deemed allies. Yet, amidst these challenges, I've also witnessed profound moments of unity and solidarity. I want to assure you that there are countless wonderful people out there who support us, incredible allies who remind us that together, we are unstoppable, our spirit indelible, our joy uncontainable."
He further emphasized, "I understand the difficulty of speaking out. Many esteemed figures I admire, even some of my heroes in entertainment, music, and sports, have opted to remain inconspicuous. Some have thrived by embracing their Jewish identity, while others have garnered acclaim for portraying Jews on screen. While some are actively working behind the scenes, many refrain from public commentary. To those who remain silent, I implore you: Please speak up. Your voice holds immense significance for your fans who cherish you, for your community members who depend on you, and for those who seek solace in solidarity."
Addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict, Schwimmer clarified, "We're not asking you to resolve the Middle East conflict. Simply stand with your Jewish friends, colleagues, and neighbors against hatred and the antisemitic incidents occurring on our college campuses, in our schools, and against Jewish-owned businesses." He quoted Elie Wiesel, "The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference," adding, "Indifference is inertia, it is silence. In moments of peril, silence may seem the safest option. But now is not the time to retreat. Now is the time to emerge, to reach out, to connect, to draw strength from our community, and to raise our voices in unison. Why shouldn't we?"
Schwimmer concluded his inspiring speech by noting that the conference honored "a remarkable group of individuals who utilize their voices, reach, and connections to disseminate messages of hope and solidarity worldwide."
Hosted by Hen Mazzig, the ADL's 'Never Is Now' conference, which also featured a keynote address by Gal Gadot, ran from March 3 to 4. Gadot reassured the attendees, "Though many of us have witnessed unprecedented levels of antisemitism, we can find solace knowing that the ADL stands by our side."
