Actor Mark Ruffalo faces accusations of antisemitism after criticizing the $111bn Paramount-WBD merger, with Jewish leaders and industry groups condemning his social media posts linking the deal to Oracle’s ties with Israel’s military.
Actor Mark Ruffalo has become embroiled in a contentious debate after Paramount Skydance accused him of invoking antisemitic tropes
in his social media critique of the $111bn merger with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD). The dispute centers on Ruffalo’s posts linking Oracle, the tech giant co-founded by Larry Ellison, to Israel’s military operations, a connection Paramount called troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute.
The Accusations and Ruffalo’s Defense
Ruffalo’s criticism focused on Oracle’s role in supplying really profoundly scary technology
to Israel’s military, particularly after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. In a viral Instagram post, he shared a clip of Oracle executive Safra Catz discussing the company’s engagement with Israel, labeling Larry Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder and father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, a classic oligarch.
Paramount responded by condemning Ruffalo’s remarks as “antisemitic,” arguing that terms like “genocide” and “apartheid” were inappropriately applied to a corporate transaction. Words like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ applied to a corporate transaction, aren’t just wrong—they’re a bridge too far,
a spokesperson said. The studio emphasized its commitment to opposing prejudice of any kind.
Ruffalo fired back, calling the accusations appalling and fundamentally dishonest.
In a written statement, he emphasized that his critique targeted the Ellisons, including Oracle’s business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts,
not Jewish people. Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life,
he wrote.
Jewish Leaders and Industry Groups Condemn Ruffalo
Several Jewish organizations and industry groups have joined Paramount in condemning Ruffalo’s posts.
Rabbi Noah Farkas of Jewish Federation Los Angeles criticized Ruffalo’s “unhinged rant,” which he said combined Jewish wealth, media control, secret technology and sinister global power.
Farkas urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta to clarify his earlier remarks, where he told Ruffalo, Mark, I hear you,
amid concerns over the merger’s antitrust implications.
Support from Hollywood Allies
Jane Fonda and “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder have publicly defended Ruffalo, arguing that his criticism of the merger was legitimate. Fonda called the antisemitism accusations a smear to delegitimize criticism of the merger,
while Einbinder dismissed the claims as “ludicrous,” stating, Is it also antisemitic to point out that Safra Catz, the Oracle executive vice chair who boasted about the ‘profoundly scary technology’ provided to the IDF, also sits on Paramount’s board?
The $111bn deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros,
she wrote, emphasizing the broader implications for media consolidation.
Ruffalo has long been vocal about his opposition to the merger, which he argues would harm Hollywood’s creative landscape and reduce competition. His posts also align with his broader activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza, a stance that has drawn both support and criticism from the entertainment industry.
The Broader Implications
The conflict underscores the tension between corporate criticism and accusations of antisemitism, a debate that has intensified amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Ruffalo’s critics argue that his posts risk normalizing antisemitic narratives, while his allies contend that his focus on Oracle’s military ties and the merger’s antitrust concerns is a legitimate exercise of free speech.
Paramount’s merger with WBD, which has faced legal challenges from 12 US states, remains on hold as a federal judge reviews antitrust concerns. The outcome could reshape Hollywood’s media landscape, with potential consequences for jobs, creative freedom, and editorial independence. For now, the debate over Ruffalo’s remarks highlights the complex interplay between activism, corporate power, and the ethical boundaries of public criticism.
