The academy honored Mel Brooks, Angela Bassett, the recently widowed editor Carol Littleton and Sundance’s Michelle Satter, whose son died in a shooting.
An open letter signed by notable actors and producers criticized the organization for not including Jews as an underrepresented group as part of a new initiative.
Stars are increasingly vocal about political issues, but the Mideast conflict has divided Hollywood, magnifying the choice of whether to discuss the topic or remain silent.