Celebs refute Mark Ruffalo antisemitism claims

Joaquin Phoenix, Joel Coen are among those rejecting them

Mark Ruffalo has received public support from more than 10 Jewish artists, writers, filmmakers and other public figures after Paramount accused the actor of invoking antisemitic tropes in his criticism of the company and its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

The open letter, published Tuesday, September 1, describes the accusations against Ruffalo as an "outrageous smear campaign" and argues that charges of antisemitism are being used to silence criticism of Israel, corporate power and the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal.

Among the signatories are Joaquin Phoenix, Joel Coen, Todd Haynes, Hannah Einbinder, Ilana Glazer, Tony Kushner, Emma Seligman, Wallace Shawn and Jane Schoenbrun. The letter says the proposed merger would further consolidate control of the entertainment industry and threaten jobs, competition and creativity. The controversy began after Ruffalo criticised the proposed merger and raised concerns about Oracle's relationship with Israel. In a social media post, he connected the Ellison family's business interests and Oracle's technology to Israel's military operations and the war in Gaza.

Paramount subsequently accused Ruffalo of using antisemitic tropes in what the company described as a business dispute. Ruffalo rejected the allegation, arguing that criticism of Israeli government actions, military technology contracts or business executives should not be conflated with criticism of Jewish people.

The new letter strongly pushes back against Paramount's position. Its signatories argue that drawing connections between events in Gaza and developments in Hollywood is not antisemitic and say they are standing with Ruffalo against what they consider an inappropriate use of antisemitism allegations.

"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 states.

Jewish filmmaker Jonathan Glazer also defended Ruffalo over the claims.