The leading ticketing platform in sports and entertainment doesn’t seem to have a problem with Louis Farrakahn’s long history of anti-Semitism, according to a letter sent by entertainment industry heavyweights to Ticketmaster this week.
Creative Community for Peace, a leading entertainment industry trade group that promotes tolerance through the arts, sent a letter to Ticketmaster CEO Michael Rapino, expressing great concern about Ticketmaster selling tickets to Louis Farrakhan’s upcoming Saviours’ Day event on February 26h at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
The letter, which was signed by entertainment executives Haim Saban, Sherry Lansing, singer/songwriter Diane Warren, and more than 120 other entertainment industry leaders, highlights a list of antisemitic and homophobic statements from Louis Farrakhan at past Saviours’ Day events. It urges the company to reconsider selling tickets to the event and to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, a guideline to help identify and combat anti-Jewish hate, such as that often espoused by Farrakhan.
“Mr. Farrakhan has labeled Judaism a “gutter religion;” stated that Jewish religious writings are responsible for “pedophilia, homosexuality, and sex trafficking” in America; regularly praises Hitler, calling him “a very great man;” the letter stated. “[Farrakhan] refers to Jews as insects; and falsely and outrageously claims that Jews orchestrated and dominated the African slave trade.”
Mr. Farrakhan has repeatedly invoked “Satan” when referring to the Jewish people. In his 2017 speech at Saviors’ Day, he said “Those who call themselves ‘Jews,’ who are not really Jews, but are in fact, Satan. You should learn to call them by their real name: ‘Satan.’ You are coming face-to-face with Satan, the Arch Deceiver, the enemy of God and the enemy of the Righteous.” And in 2020, he promoted violence by stating, “”Those of you who say that you are Jews, I will not even give you the honor of calling yourself Jews. You are not a Jew. You are so-called. You are Satan. It is my job now to pull the cover off of Satan. So when every Muslim sees Satan, pick up a stone.”
The letter includes additional incendiary quotes from Mr. Farrakhan over the years, highlighting his pattern of sharing antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories with his audience. It also notes the fact that there are more hate crimes per capita against Jews than any other minority and that “, providing support of any kind to this sort of hatred is not just unacceptable, but dangerous.”
CCFP Director Ari Ingel added, “Louis Farrakhan is one of the leading purveyors of antisemitism in America, as noted by the ADL and the Southern Poverty Law Center. His views are incredibly dangerous and we’re disappointed to see Ticketmaster enable his promulgation of hatred. We hope Mr. Rapino reconsiders, especially at a time when antisemitism continues to become more and more normalized.”
At the time of this writing, Ticketmaster CEO Michael Rapino has yet to respond to CCFP’s request.
Haim Saban, Sherry Lansing and Other Leaders Call out Ticketmaster for Enabling Farrakhan Event
Benjamin Raziel
The leading ticketing platform in sports and entertainment doesn’t seem to have a problem with Louis Farrakahn’s long history of anti-Semitism, according to a letter sent by entertainment industry heavyweights to Ticketmaster this week.
Creative Community for Peace, a leading entertainment industry trade group that promotes tolerance through the arts, sent a letter to Ticketmaster CEO Michael Rapino, expressing great concern about Ticketmaster selling tickets to Louis Farrakhan’s upcoming Saviours’ Day event on February 26h at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
The letter, which was signed by entertainment executives Haim Saban, Sherry Lansing, singer/songwriter Diane Warren, and more than 120 other entertainment industry leaders, highlights a list of antisemitic and homophobic statements from Louis Farrakhan at past Saviours’ Day events. It urges the company to reconsider selling tickets to the event and to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, a guideline to help identify and combat anti-Jewish hate, such as that often espoused by Farrakhan.
“Mr. Farrakhan has labeled Judaism a “gutter religion;” stated that Jewish religious writings are responsible for “pedophilia, homosexuality, and sex trafficking” in America; regularly praises Hitler, calling him “a very great man;” the letter stated. “[Farrakhan] refers to Jews as insects; and falsely and outrageously claims that Jews orchestrated and dominated the African slave trade.”
Mr. Farrakhan has repeatedly invoked “Satan” when referring to the Jewish people. In his 2017 speech at Saviors’ Day, he said “Those who call themselves ‘Jews,’ who are not really Jews, but are in fact, Satan. You should learn to call them by their real name: ‘Satan.’ You are coming face-to-face with Satan, the Arch Deceiver, the enemy of God and the enemy of the Righteous.” And in 2020, he promoted violence by stating, “”Those of you who say that you are Jews, I will not even give you the honor of calling yourself Jews. You are not a Jew. You are so-called. You are Satan. It is my job now to pull the cover off of Satan. So when every Muslim sees Satan, pick up a stone.”
The letter includes additional incendiary quotes from Mr. Farrakhan over the years, highlighting his pattern of sharing antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories with his audience. It also notes the fact that there are more hate crimes per capita against Jews than any other minority and that “, providing support of any kind to this sort of hatred is not just unacceptable, but dangerous.”
CCFP Director Ari Ingel added, “Louis Farrakhan is one of the leading purveyors of antisemitism in America, as noted by the ADL and the Southern Poverty Law Center. His views are incredibly dangerous and we’re disappointed to see Ticketmaster enable his promulgation of hatred. We hope Mr. Rapino reconsiders, especially at a time when antisemitism continues to become more and more normalized.”
At the time of this writing, Ticketmaster CEO Michael Rapino has yet to respond to CCFP’s request.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Faith and the Power of Pretend
The Hero Behind the Hero: Eli Beer Wants the World to Know Nadia Cohen
Who Are the Jewish Winners in the 2026 Elections?
Congratulations – and Candor – for L.A.’s Next Mayor
The Background Has Been Painted: Kristallnacht, 88 Years On
When Touched by Evil
The F-Bomb
The term “f-bomb” has become obsolete. The one-time shocker is so common that it’s more of an f-firecracker.
The Reunion
When I reunite with my parents, I imagine it will go something like this.
Declaring Our Independence
If neither of the nation’s two dominant political parties is willing to commit to us, then we are under no obligation to commit to them.
Our New Mayor Has a Genocide Problem
If Raman is serious about making Jewish Angelenos feel safe, it’s time for her to correct the lie of the century. Don’t just do it for the Jews. Do it for the truth.
They Blamed the Jews for Eggs. Then They Won.
Cenk Uygur’s grocery-aisle libel cost his candidate nothing. Then Washington ended the aid, and the grievance didn’t move an inch.
Rabbi Stan Levy, 1941-2026
His work was to lift-up those in need, support the downtrodden and, particularly, respond with a compassionate heart to the many Holocaust Survivors who lived in the Fairfax District.
Broken Glass and the Banality of Blueberries
“Here There Are Blueberries” is a fascinating autopsy into the morality of indifference.
One Book, Two Sisters, and the Fight to Keep the Holocaust Real
While popular culture often praises “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” as a touching fable, historians have long condemned it as a dangerous fabrication.
Warriors of Israel Advocates for Israel’s Heroes in California and Abroad
The goal of the organization is simple: to ensure that no one faces recovery alone.
How My Mother’s Childhood Doodle Wound Up in the Venice Biennale and Why I Removed It
My mother’s childhood drawing of Hitler became my contribution to the Venice Biennale, and then I found myself confronting the very hatred my mother had put on paper.
Israeli Journalist at VBS, 2026 Jewish Educator Awards Recipients
Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.
Superstitions and the Training Wheels of Faith
Some may scoff, but those little rituals help. They don’t undermine our faith; they actually bring us closer to God.
At Israel’s Low Point, Montreal Federation Throws a Wild Party
Here were thousands of proud Jews with Israeli flags dancing, reveling, rejoicing, as if the news never reached them about the global hate movement toward Israel.
Rabbis of LA | The Rembaums’ Happy Life Together
Second of two parts
Some LA Business Owners and Residents Taking Safety Into Their Own Hands
Several business owners interviewed by The Journal for this article said they had purchased firearms to protect their businesses and homes.
‘The Israeli in Me Came Out’: At 81, Howard Rosenman Fought His Attackers
“I did a film with Barbra Streisand, ‘The Main Event,’ in 1979. Nothing can scare me.”
Jewish Activist Says She Won’t Be Silenced After Being Attacked at the University of Michigan
Benichou hopes to see more people speaking up.
A Popular Skewer Recipe
There is a benefit of roasting food on skewers, à la shish kebab. By cutting meat and vegetables into smaller uniform pieces, the marinade coats more and the food cooks evenly.
Table for Five: Chayei Sarah
Commitment To Love
Settling on the Outskirts – A poem for Parsha Chayei Sara
The life of Sara ends with death.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.