More than 180 Jewish artists, writers, creative professionals, faith leaders, and thinkers have publicly expressed their support for actor Mark Ruffalo. This collective action comes after Ruffalo faced accusations of antisemitism due to his opposition to a proposed merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, and his comments connecting it to the conflict involving Palestinians.
Support for Ruffalo Amidst Controversy
A letter, first reported by Variety, stated, "We are Jewish artists, writers, creative professionals, faith leaders and thinkers who have, in response to the outrageous smear campaign against our respected colleague Mark Ruffalo, a simple message to share with the world: Enough!" The signatories emphasized that the "false and dangerous weaponization of charges of antisemitism" against those who highlight the connection between "the assault on the Palestinian people and the assault on our liberties at home" must cease. They asserted that recognizing this connection is not antisemitic.
Ruffalo's initial comments that drew criticism stemmed from an August video he shared featuring Safra Catz, an Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member. In the video, Catz discussed technology Oracle provided to assist Israel following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Ruffalo connected Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, to the financing of the potential acquisition. He suggested the merger could be used to advance "oppression."
These ‘really profoundly scary technologies’ will most likely be merged into one of the largest media conglomerates in the world and one day used on you. Look how she revels in what we now have come to see as a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle.
The group of Jewish artists, which includes notable names such as Abbi Jacobson, Alex Winter, Gina Gershon, Ilana Glazer, James Schamus, Joel Coen, Larry Charles, Kate Berlant, Naomi Klein, Sarah Sherman, Jane Schoenbrun, Todd Haynes, and Tony Kushner, rejected the notion that Ruffalo's statement was antisemitic. They argued that executives themselves have explicitly linked their support for ongoing actions against the Palestinian people to their efforts to silence critics.
The AI road to WarnerMount runs through Gaza, and Ellison has often let us know the Orwellian world he has in store for us as he consolidates control over what we watch and how we watch it, knowing that as we watch he and his corrupt cohort will always be watching us.
The signatories also asserted that a majority of American Jews now believe Israel has committed war crimes against Gaza, with a significant number believing Israel is guilty of genocide. They called for an end to what they termed "spurious charges of antisemitism" directed at individuals like Ruffalo. The letter concluded that "pointing out the crucial connections between what is happening in Gaza and what is happening in Hollywood is the exact opposite of antisemitism. It is, for us, the very essence of Jewish ethical duty."
Ruffalo himself addressed the accusations, stating,
The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people.
Criticism and Counter-Arguments
Despite the show of support, Ruffalo has also faced significant backlash. A group of nearly 1,000 industry professionals, identifying themselves as The Brigade, issued a statement last week condemning the actor's remarks.
This is not commentary on a merger. It is not a criticism of a government. It is simple antisemitism, where Jewish executives are portrayed as a secretive and powerful wealth-hoarding elite delighting in mass death.
Further criticism came from a commentator identified as Barcohana, who remarked, "Ruffalo as an anti-merger spokesman is an odd choice given his extremist rhetoric that has completely discredited him with rational people." Barcohana added, "He is an activist more than an actor (indeed maybe that’s one in the same). I applaud The Brigade for organizing an oppositional force against the explosion of antisemitism within Hollywood and standing up to Ruffalo’s Israel Derangement Syndrome."
