Israeli Businessman Harel Wiesel to Receive Prestigious Bialkin Leadership Award
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israeli businessman Harel Wiesel, CEO of the Fox Group, will receive the Kenneth J. Bialkin Leadership Award at the "Partners for Democracy Awards Gala 2026" in New York on November 10, 2026. The award recognizes his contributions to strengthening U.S.-Israel business ties, particularly by bringing major American brands like Nike and American Eagle to Israel. Wiesel's career began with selling t-shirts and evolved into building the FOX brand and securing numerous international franchises.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Harel Wiesel will receive the Kenneth J. Bialkin Leadership Award in New York on November 10, 2026.
- The award is presented by the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) for strengthening U.S.-Israel business ties.
- Wiesel is CEO and controlling shareholder of the Fox Group, known for bringing brands like Nike and American Eagle to Israel.
- He co-founded the FOX brand in 1992 and has since expanded into various retail sectors.
- Past recipients include Henry Kissinger and Michael Bloomberg.
Harel Wiesel, CEO and controlling shareholder of the Fox Group, will be honored with the prestigious Kenneth J. Bialkin Leadership Award. The award will be presented at the "Partners for Democracy Awards Gala 2026," organized by the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL). The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the 'Lilly' club on 50th Street in Manhattan, New York, and is expected to draw approximately 150 prominent business figures, investors, philanthropists, and leaders from both countries.
The Leadership Award is named after the late attorney Kenneth Bialkin, who previously served as president of the AIFL and was instrumental in opening the American market to Israeli companies. It recognizes groundbreaking leaders who have made exceptional contributions to strengthening business, commercial, and economic ties between Israel and the United States.
This year, Wiesel will share the honor with international businessmen George M. Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group, and Robert H. Buck, Chairman of Buck Capital Enterprises. The "Partners for Democracy" award will be presented to Julie Menin, Chair of the New York City Council.
Wiesel's recognition highlights his significant success in the Israeli economy. Starting from humble beginnings, he began his career in textiles by selling t-shirts from his car trunk and market stalls. His major breakthrough came in 1992 when he co-founded the FOX brand with his brothers Asi and Yiftach, and partner Abraham Fox. Over the years, Wiesel led innovative marketing campaigns, took FOX public on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2002, and developed successful in-house brands like Fox Kids, Fox Baby, and Fox Home, in addition to acquiring the Laline skincare chain.
The award citation emphasizes Wiesel's transformation into a powerful international franchisee, bringing major American brands to Israel. The Fox Group holds exclusive licenses for leading fashion retailers such as American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People. A key international venture is the partnership with Nike, through which Fox operates the brand's large stores in Israel, Canada, and Europe, alongside the Foot Locker chain and the introduction of the Shake Shack burger chain to Israel. Wiesel's dominance in Israeli malls and the establishment of the online fashion platform Terminal X, valued at over a billion shekels, have solidified his status as Israel's "retail king."
Wiesel joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including former U.S. Presidents, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and business figures Shari Arison, Dana Azrieli, and Ido Segal.