More than 170 individuals from the Jewish community in the entertainment sector, such as Hannah Einbinder, Joel Coen, and Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, have signed an open letter in support of American actor Mark Ruffalo. They denounced what they described as an unwarranted attack on Ruffalo in the form of a “smear campaign.”
The letter, made public on Tuesday, stated that Ruffalo has been unfairly targeted with allegations of antisemitism for his opposition to Paramount Skydance’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and his observations linking the deal to the conflict in Gaza. Paramount Skydance, of which CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison own 47%, has openly expressed its solidarity with Israel, with a top executive previously acknowledging technology-sharing with the Israeli military.
Ruffalo’s comments on the proposed merger drew criticism from Paramount, which accused him of invoking antisemitic stereotypes. In response, a letter signed by over 1,000 Jewish members of the entertainment industry also condemned Ruffalo’s remarks for allegedly singling out Jewish executives with language reminiscent of antisemitic conspiracy theories.
While Ruffalo has not directly addressed the latest letter, he has reshared a video on Instagram criticizing the merger. He has vehemently denied the accusations of antisemitism, emphasizing that his criticisms were directed at specific actions and individuals and not the Jewish community as a whole.
The ongoing dispute between Ruffalo and Paramount has delayed the acquisition until June 2027 due to legal challenges raised by 12 U.S. state attorneys general over antitrust concerns. The merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros., valued at $110 billion US, would establish one of the largest entertainment conglomerates in Hollywood, controlling major franchises such as Harry Potter, the DC superhero series, and CNN.
The recent open letter supporting Ruffalo also includes signatures from notable figures like author Naomi Klein, retired rabbi David Mivasair, and physician Gabor Maté from Canada, as well as American actor Ilana Glazer and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun. The letter expressed solidarity with Ruffalo and others advocating for truth and justice.
Ruffalo had previously criticized the merger in August, highlighting Oracle’s involvement with the Israeli military. He raised concerns about the potential consequences of merging technologies developed for military purposes into a massive media conglomerate.
Several organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as constituting genocide against Palestinians. However, Israel has consistently denied these allegations, arguing that its operations are aimed at combatting militants and ensuring national security.
Ruffalo’s post also underscored the antitrust implications of the Skydance-Warner merger, warning of job losses, consumer price hikes, and diminished industry competition. Paramount has defended the merger, stating that it would enhance competition against dominant streaming and tech platforms that have disrupted the theatrical exhibition market.
Oracle’s public support for Israel has been evident, with the company expressing solidarity with the country following the Hamas attack in 2023. Oracle’s commitment to Israel, despite potential business ramifications, reflects its unwavering support for the nation’s security efforts.
The conflict in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and hostage situations, underscoring the complex and ongoing challenges in the region.
