More than 170 Jewish members of the entertainment industry, including Hannah Einbinder, Joel Coen, and Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, have penned a public statement in support of American actor Mark Ruffalo, denouncing what they describe as an unfounded attack on his character.
The open letter, released on Tuesday, asserts that Ruffalo has been unjustly targeted with baseless accusations of antisemitism for his vocal opposition to Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and his remarks linking the deal to the conflict in Gaza.
Paramount Skydance, in which CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, who is also the co-founder and chief technology officer of Oracle, own a 47% stake, has openly supported Israel. The company has acknowledged providing technology to the Israeli army in the past.
The letter highlights that Ruffalo’s comments have been twisted to falsely suggest antisemitic undertones and emphasizes the importance of distinguishing criticism of specific actions from hostility towards any group. It defends Ruffalo’s right to express his views without facing malicious attacks.
While Ruffalo has not directly responded to this recent show of support, he has previously addressed the allegations of antisemitism against him, clarifying that his criticisms were focused on specific actions and not directed at any group of people.
The ongoing dispute between Ruffalo and Paramount has raised concerns about the proposed merger’s implications, valued at $110 billion US, which has been delayed due to legal challenges from U.S. state attorneys general citing antitrust concerns.
The potential merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. would create a major Hollywood powerhouse with control over significant properties like Harry Potter, the DC superhero franchise, and CNN.
Other notable figures endorsing Ruffalo in the latest letter include author Naomi Klein, retired rabbi David Mivasair, physician Gabor Maté, actor Ilana Glazer, and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun. The letter reiterates their solidarity with Ruffalo and their commitment to standing up for truth and integrity.
Ruffalo had previously criticized the merger, particularly focusing on Oracle’s involvement with the Israeli military. He raised concerns about the potential consequences of merging advanced technologies with media conglomerates and the impact on consumer prices and industry competition.
The letter underscores the importance of distinguishing legitimate criticism from unwarranted attacks and emphasizes the need for open dialogue and understanding in addressing complex issues.
