Mark Ruffalo hits back at Paramount: ‘The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling’

Mark Ruffalo has vehemently denied Paramount's claim that his criticisms of the Ellison family, Oracle, and their alleged ties to Israel were rooted in antisemitic imagery. The actor, a vocal critic of the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, which would result in Paramount-Skydance acquiring Warner Bros.

Discovery, published a lengthy rebuttal on social media platform X. Ruffalo argued that the accusation was "appalling and fundamentally dishonest," asserting that criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who support them is not equivalent to criticizing Jewish people.

He clarified that his stance is based on his political convictions and not on any hostility toward Jewish individuals. The dispute arose after Ruffalo expanded his critique to include allegations that the Ellison family and Oracle, a prominent Silicon Valley company, were directly linked to Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Ruffalo shared a video featuring Safra Catz, the former CEO of Oracle and a former executive vice chair of the company, who now serves on Paramount's board. Catz, born in Holon, Israel, is a strong supporter of Israel and has made her stance on the country's actions clear. Ruffalo accused Oracle of enabling what he described as "genocide" and likened Larry Ellison, the Disney chairman and Ellison family member, to a "classic oligarch" who has concentrated wealth and power through oppressive systems.

Paramount responded by stating that deploying such terms in a business dispute was "wrong" and "crossed a line," diminishing the real suffering those terms refer to. Ruffalo, however, stood firm on his position, emphasizing that the merger would have significant consequences for real people and the country as a whole, particularly in terms of editorial freedom and job losses.

The proposed transaction would give one family control over CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros., with foreign influence on editorial decisions remaining unclear to the public. Ruffalo also raised concerns about national security, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for a review, but regulators have not provided the public with a satisfactory answer.

The actor, known for his portrayal of Bruce Banner/Hulk in the Avengers films, has been vocal in his opposition to the deal for months, initially focusing on job losses, media consolidation, and creative independence. His recent intervention, however, brought his views on Israel and the Gaza conflict into the debate, leading to a more pointed response from Paramount.