More than 170 Jewish individuals from the entertainment industry, including Hannah Einbinder, Joel Coen, and Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, have collectively signed an open letter in support of American actor Mark Ruffalo, denouncing what they describe as an unwarranted attack on his character.
The open letter, released on Tuesday, conveys a unified message from Jewish artists, writers, creative professionals, faith leaders, and thinkers, urging an end to the unfounded accusations against Ruffalo. The letter highlights the actor’s recent criticism of Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and the subsequent backlash he faced regarding his comments linking the deal to the conflict in Gaza.
Paramount Skydance, a company with a 47% ownership stake held by CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, who also serves as Oracle’s co-founder and chief technology officer, has a known association with Israel. An executive from Oracle previously admitted to sharing technology with the Israeli army.
In response to these events, a statement from Paramount criticized Ruffalo for allegedly invoking antisemitic stereotypes in his remarks on the merger. The actor, however, has refuted these claims, 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 escalated, with the planned merger facing legal challenges from several U.S. state attorneys general over antitrust concerns. If completed, the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. would create a major entertainment conglomerate with significant control over popular franchises like Harry Potter and the DC superhero series.
The open letter supporting Ruffalo includes signatures from prominent figures such as author Naomi Klein, retired rabbi David Mivasair, physician Gabor Maté, actress Ilana Glazer, and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun. The signatories express solidarity with Ruffalo and commend his courage in speaking out against what they perceive as unjust criticism.
Ruffalo’s recent social media posts have drawn attention to the potential ramifications of the merger and Oracle’s involvement with the Israeli military. He has raised concerns about the use of advanced technology in conflict zones and highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in corporate dealings.
The actor’s advocacy for social justice and human rights issues has sparked a broader conversation within the entertainment industry about the ethical implications of business partnerships and the responsibility of companies to consider the impact of their actions on global conflicts.
