Nearly 200 Jewish figures in the entertainment industry have signed an open letter defending actor Mark Ruffalo after Paramount called his criticism of the company's proposed merger with Warner Bros Discovery antisemitic.
The letter, published on Tuesday, was led by Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder and signed by prominent film and television creators, including Joel Coen, Todd Haynes, Ilana Glazer, James Schamus, Emma Seligman, Tony Kushner, Jane Schoenbrun, and Wallace Shawn.
Ruffalo, 58, has voiced opposition to the planned 111 billion dollar business deal that would unite Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery into a conglomerate he referred to as Para Bros. The Marvel actor stated that his concerns focus on corporate executive actions, military technology contracts, and media consolidation rather than Jewish people.
Paramount chief executive David Ellison, 43, is the son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, 82. Oracle has provided software and technical assistance to Israel during its military strikes on Gaza, a connection highlighted by both Ruffalo and the letter's signatories.
Signatories reject antisemitism charges
The open letter defended Ruffalo by arguing against what it termed the false and dangerous weaponization of charges of antisemitism. The signatories maintained that questioning corporate media mergers and military links is an ethical responsibility.
Pointing out the crucial connections between what is happening in Gaza and what is happening in Hollywood is the exact opposite of antisemitism, the letter stated. It is, for us, the very essence of Jewish ethical duty.
Broad City actress Ilana Glazer released a separate statement alongside her signature, calling Paramount's attempt to label Ruffalo antisemitic absurd and dangerous. She said Ruffalo has consistently opposed antisemitism while advocating for Palestinian rights, adding that Americans have the right to debate corporate power without being bullied into silence.
The open letter issued a direct call against the accusations, stating: 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! Enough with the false and dangerous weaponization of charges of antisemitism against those who are brave enough to point out the obvious: that the assault on the Palestinian people and the assault on our liberties at home are deeply interconnected, and there is nothing antisemitic about recognizing that fact.
The group warned that merging Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery would eliminate thousands of jobs, further consolidate oligarchic control over American media organizations such as CBS News, and restrict competition in film and television production.
The letter also framed the deal as part of a larger tech-driven project, pointing to Larry Ellison's reported 350 million dollars in funding and pledges to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. The institute supports Blair's involvement in a proposed Board of Peace takeover of Gaza, which the letter described as an open-air laboratory for AI-driven killing and control technologies.
The signatories cited Oracle executive vice chair Safra Catz, who sits on the boards of both Oracle and Paramount, referencing her prior remarks about supplying technology to the Israeli military. Citing a recent Washington Post poll in which 61 percent of American Jews agreed Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza and 40 percent agreed those actions amount to genocide, the letter asked whether critics also view those American Jews as antisemitic, while criticizing the oligarchic powerplays of executives such as Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, and Peter Thiel.
Einbinder details backing for Ruffalo
Hannah Einbinder previously took to social media to support Ruffalo following Paramount's initial criticism. Writing on Instagram Stories, the Los Angeles-born actress expressed gratitude to Ruffalo for highlighting connections between military technology suppliers and major media acquisitions.
Einbinder rejected Paramount's claims, calling the idea that Ruffalo spoke out only because the Ellisons are Jewish ludicrous. She noted that Larry Ellison has donated tens of millions of dollars to political efforts for Donald Trump, once offered Benjamin Netanyahu a lucrative Oracle post, and that Catz praised technology provided to the Israeli Defense Forces while sitting on Paramount's board.
Einbinder added that equating criticism of Israel or its supporters with antisemitism strips the term of its meaning, which she said undermines genuine efforts to protect Jewish safety. She also stressed that opposing the merger is a fight for Hollywood crew members and working-class entertainment employees who risk losing their livelihoods.
She called Ruffalo an inspiration for artists willing to speak out for oppressed people, writing that those with a public platform have a responsibility to use their voices before speaking out is outlawed altogether.
Clash over merger rhetoric
The dispute intensified after Ruffalo, who wore an ICE Out pin at the 2026 Golden Globes in January, criticized the funding behind the 111 billion dollar merger by using the terms genocide and apartheid in a social media statement.
A Paramount spokesman quickly condemned Ruffalo's statement to CNN's Brian Stelter, calling the use of terms like genocide and apartheid in relation to a corporate transaction a bridge too far and accusing the actor of invoking antisemitic tropes.
Ruffalo responded on Saturday by calling Paramount's statement appalling and fundamentally dishonest. He emphasized that criticizing an Israeli prime minister, military contracts, or corporate executives is not identical to criticizing Jewish people.
The Dark Waters actor said his views stem from political convictions and deep love and respect for Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have influenced his life, acting, and activism.
Ruffalo had earlier shared a video clip from the 2024 Israeli-American Council National Summit showing Safra Catz discussing Oracle's efforts to make technology available for the Israeli military following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas. Ruffalo told his 20.5 million Instagram followers that Oracle's business was built on surveillance technology powering destructive forces.
Ruffalo also noted that 12 state Attorneys General, led by California, are suing to block the transaction. A report released by Los Angeles County on Tuesday estimated the merger could cost the county approximately 4,500 film and television jobs. Ruffalo called for federal regulators and lawmakers to conduct a national security review of foreign backing and corporate concentration before approving the deal.
Paramount stated in its official response that it does not tolerate prejudice of any kind, adding that it was a moment to lower the temperature, not raise it. The company stated that it preferred to focus on building rather than engaging in rhetoric, expressing hope that regulators will assess the transaction on legal merits rather than underlying bias. Representatives for Ruffalo, Einbinder, and Paramount did not immediately provide additional comment when reached by Daily Mail reporters.
