More than 170 Jewish individuals in the entertainment sector, such as Hannah Einbinder, Joel Coen, and Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, have endorsed an open letter in support of American actor Mark Ruffalo, denouncing what they describe as an unjustified attack on his character.
In the published letter, the group, consisting of Jewish artists, writers, professionals, and faith leaders, conveys a clear message to the public, stating “Enough!” The letter defends Ruffalo against accusations of antisemitism for his criticism of Paramount Skydance’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and linking it to the conflict in Gaza.
The letter highlights that Ruffalo has been unfairly targeted with false allegations of antisemitism for his stance on the deal, which involves Paramount Skydance, partly owned by CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, co-founder and CTO of Oracle. The technology company has openly supported Israel, with a senior executive acknowledging collaboration with the Israeli military.
Efforts to obtain comments from Ruffalo’s representatives, Paramount Skydance, and Oracle by CBC News have been initiated.
In response to previous statements by Paramount, Ruffalo has been accused of invoking antisemitic stereotypes in his criticisms of the merger. However, Ruffalo has defended his position, emphasizing that his concerns were directed at specific actions and individuals related to the deal, not towards the Jewish community as a whole.
The ongoing dispute between Ruffalo and Paramount has led to a delay in the merger, valued at $110 billion US, with 12 U.S. state attorneys general contesting the deal over antitrust concerns. The combined entity of Paramount Skydance-Warner would establish a significant presence in Hollywood, overseeing major properties like Harry Potter, the DC superhero franchise, and CNN.
Notable figures endorsing the recent letter supporting Ruffalo include author Naomi Klein, retired rabbi David Mivasair, physician Gabor Maté, Ilana Glazer, and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun. The letter affirms solidarity with Ruffalo and individuals advocating for truth and accountability.
Ruffalo’s criticism of the merger and Oracle’s involvement in Israeli military affairs have sparked controversy, with the actor labeling it as a “classic antitrust case.” He raised concerns about potential job losses, higher consumer costs, and reduced industry competition resulting from the merger.
Oracle’s backing of Israel has been well-documented, with the company expressing support for the nation in the face of adversity. The conflict in Gaza, stemming from a Hamas-led attack on Israel, has led to significant casualties and ongoing tensions in the region.