More than 170 Jewish members of the entertainment industry, including notables like Hannah Einbinder, Joel Coen, and Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, have come together to support American actor Mark Ruffalo against what they describe as an unjust attack. The group, consisting of Jewish artists, writers, creative professionals, faith leaders, and thinkers, has issued a public message expressing their solidarity with Ruffalo and denouncing the alleged smear campaign.
According to the open letter published on Tuesday, the signatories express their concern over the false and harmful accusations of antisemitism that Ruffalo has faced. The actor had spoken out against Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and highlighted the connections he saw between the deal and the conflict in Gaza.
Paramount Skydance, which is 47 percent owned by CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, who is also the co-founder and chief technology officer of Oracle, has been known for its support of Israel. The technology company, based in Austin, has been open about sharing technology with the Israeli army.
Ruffalo’s representatives, as well as Paramount Skydance and Oracle, have been contacted for comments by CBC News. Paramount previously criticized Ruffalo for allegedly invoking antisemitic tropes when criticizing the deal, stating that such language undermines the severity of the issues it describes.
In response to the ongoing dispute, a previous letter signed by over 1,000 Jewish members of the entertainment industry also condemned Ruffalo’s statements, accusing him of targeting Jewish executives with language rooted in historical antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Ruffalo has refrained from publicly addressing the latest letter, but he has shared a video on Instagram criticizing the proposed merger. He has vehemently denied the allegations of antisemitism, emphasizing that his criticisms were directed at specific actions and individuals rather than the Jewish community as a whole.
The clash between Ruffalo and Paramount continues as the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros., valued at $110 billion US, faces legal challenges from 12 U.S. state attorneys general over antitrust concerns. The merger would create a significant Hollywood studio with control over major properties like Harry Potter, the DC superhero franchise, and CNN.
Additional supporters of Ruffalo in the recent open letter include author Naomi Klein, retired rabbi David Mivasair, physician Gabor Maté, American actor Ilana Glazer, and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun. The letter expresses solidarity with Ruffalo and others who courageously speak out against perceived injustices.
Ruffalo’s criticism of the proposed merger, particularly focusing on Oracle’s involvement with the Israeli military, has sparked controversy. He has raised concerns about the potential impact of the merger on jobs, consumer prices, and competition within the industry.
Oracle’s support for Israel has been highlighted, with the company expressing solidarity with the country following the Hamas-led attack in 2023. Oracle has also made significant donations to Israeli causes, emphasizing its unwavering support for Israel despite potential business consequences.
The conflict in Gaza, which followed the Hamas attack, has resulted in significant casualties and ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine. The war has claimed numerous lives and continues to be a point of contention in the region.