On October 7, 2024, Robert Kraft, founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), participated in an event to illuminate the Empire State Building in New York City as a gesture against Jewish hate and all forms of hatred.
Prominent figures from the sports industry are collaborating on a new campaign aimed at combating antisemitism. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, along with his foundation, introduced a high-profile advertisement titled “Time Out Against Hate” on Thursday. This campaign is in partnership with major sports organizations including Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Women’s Soccer League, and NASCAR.
The campaign closely follows a report released on Sunday by the Anti-Defamation League, documenting over 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel. The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism indicates that 10% of U.S. adult males openly express prejudice against Jewish individuals.
The advertisement, featuring figures such as Billie Jean King, Shaquille O’Neal, Jim Harbaugh, Doc Rivers, Joe Torre, Ryan Blaney, and Candace Parker, is set to debut on Thursday. It will be showcased during Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcast between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Additionally, the campaign will appear on various digital platforms and billboards nationwide.
Robert Kraft emphasized in a statement that by coming together for a common cause, the influence of sports transcends physical venues and reaches into communities. He described the initiative as a call for unity to foster a world characterized by empathy, understanding, and respect.
Kraft established the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019 to address the growing antisemitism in the United States. Earlier this year, Kraft expressed discomfort with financially supporting Columbia University, his alma mater, due to its handling of anti-Israel protests on campus. Subsequently, in June, he announced a $1 million donation to Yeshiva University to assist Jewish students wishing to transfer.
