Actor Mark Ruffalo has received support from more than 170 Jewish figures in the entertainment industry who signed an open letter defending him after Paramount accused his criticism of a proposed merger of antisemitism. The letter, led by actress Hannah Einbinder, argues that using accusations of antisemitism to silence legitimate criticism is a harmful tactic.
Ruffalo had expressed opposition to the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, stating that his concerns were related to military contracts and executive actions, not Jewish people. The letter highlights the connections between Paramount CEO David Ellison's family, particularly his father Larry Ellison, co-founder and executive chairman of Oracle, and technological assistance provided to Israel amid its operations in Gaza.
"Pointing out the crucial connections between what is happening in Gaza and what is happening in Hollywood is the exact opposite of antisemitism," the letter reads. "It is, for us, the very essence of Jewish ethical duty." Actress Ilana Glazer, also a signatory, stated that calling Ruffalo antisemitic for questioning a corporate merger is "absurd" and a "dangerous way to shut down legitimate criticism."
Einbinder, who is Jewish, previously defended Ruffalo, calling the idea that his comments were motivated by the Ellisons' Jewish faith "ludicrous." She questioned whether it was antisemitic to point out that Safra Catz, an Oracle executive vice chair who has spoken about providing technology to the IDF, also sits on Paramount's board. Einbinder also noted Larry Ellison's political donations and past offers to Netanyahu.
"Mark has consistently spoken out against antisemitism while also standing up for Palestinian rights and dignity for all people," Glazer said in her statement. "It’s an American’s right to debate media consolidation and the dangers of monopolized corporate power without weaponizing antisemitism to bully people into silence."
Ruffalo, in his own social media posts, called Paramount's accusations "appalling and fundamentally dishonest." He clarified that his criticism was directed at specific actions and contracts, not Jewish people. He emphasized his deep respect for Jewish friends and colleagues, stating that his views stem from his own political convictions.
The controversy arose after Ruffalo used terms like "genocide" and "apartheid" in relation to the business transaction. A Paramount spokesperson condemned his rhetoric as invoking antisemitic tropes, arguing that applying such terms to a corporate deal was "a bridge too far."
The open letter also addressed the broader implications of the merger, describing it as part of a "larger project of tech-driven domination" with ties to what they call "ongoing depredations being visited on the people of Palestine." It also mentioned concerns about media consolidation, potential job losses in the film and television industry, and the influence of foreign funding.
The merger, valued at $111 billion, has faced scrutiny from various legal and political entities. The letter asserts that accusing critics of antisemitism is a tactic to defend "war, oligarchy, and AI domination."