More than 170 Jewish members of the entertainment field, including Hannah Einbinder, Joel Coen, and Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, have endorsed an open statement supporting American actor Mark Ruffalo against what they describe as an “unjust smear campaign.”
“We, as Jewish artists, writers, creative professionals, faith leaders, and thinkers, wish to convey a clear message to the world,” stated the letter published on Tuesday. The letter expressed solidarity with Ruffalo and pushed back against the allegations of antisemitism leveled against him for his opposition to Paramount Skydance’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and his remarks linking the deal to the conflict in Gaza.
The letter highlighted that Ruffalo has been unfairly targeted with baseless accusations of antisemitism for speaking out against the merger and drawing parallels to the situation in Gaza. Paramount Skydance, partially owned by CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, has shared technology with the Israeli military, a fact that is openly acknowledged by the company.
Efforts to obtain comments from Ruffalo’s representatives, Paramount Skydance, and Oracle have been made by CBC News. Paramount previously criticized Ruffalo for allegedly invoking antisemitic stereotypes when criticizing the merger in a statement to various media outlets.
Ruffalo has not responded publicly to the recent letter but has reposted a video on Instagram criticizing the proposed deal. He has vehemently denied the accusations of antisemitism, emphasizing that his criticisms were directed at specific actions and individuals, not the Jewish community as a whole.
The ongoing dispute between Ruffalo and Paramount has delayed the $110 billion US merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. until June 2027 due to legal challenges from U.S. state attorneys general citing anti-competitive concerns.
The latest open letter in support of Ruffalo includes signatures from notable figures such as author Naomi Klein, retired rabbi David Mivasair, physician Gabor Maté, American actor Ilana Glazer, and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, all standing in solidarity with Ruffalo and advocating for speaking truth to power.
Ruffalo previously criticized the merger on social media, particularly highlighting Oracle’s involvement with the Israeli military, citing concerns over the potential outcomes of the deal. He emphasized the potential negative impacts on jobs, consumer prices, and industry competition, characterizing the deal as a classic antitrust case.
The controversy surrounding the merger underscores the clash between Ruffalo’s viewpoints and Paramount’s stance on the acquisition, with the company defending the merger as a move to enhance competition in the industry against dominant tech platforms. Oracle’s unwavering support for Israel has been well-documented, with the company publicly declaring solidarity with the country and making substantial donations to Israeli causes.
The conflict in Gaza, triggered by a Hamas-led attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and ongoing tensions in the region. Ruffalo’s outspoken views on the merger, Oracle’s involvement with the Israeli military, and the broader context of the conflict have stirred debate and controversy within the entertainment industry.