Mark Ruffalo Calls Antisemitism Accusation 'Appalling' as Pro-Israel Group Demands Boycott
Mark Ruffalo is firing back after Paramount labeled his criticism of a major media merger as antisemitic. The actor called the accusation "appalling and fundamentally dishonest" in a statement on X, per Variety.
According to TheWrap, the dispute stems from Ruffalo's Instagram post attacking the pending Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which involves Larry Ellison and his son David. Ruffalo connected the Ellisons' tech company Oracle to Israel's military actions in Gaza, which he described as genocide.
Paramount swiftly condemned his remarks. A studio spokesperson told TheWrap the comments invoked antisemitic tropes and were "a bridge too far." The statement argued that using terms like genocide for a business deal cheapens real suffering.
The advocacy group Creative Community for Peace then called for a Hollywood boycott of Ruffalo until he apologizes. The group's executive director, Ari Ingel, said Ruffalo's rhetoric "echoes some of the oldest antisemitic conspiracy theories in history" by linking Jewish-associated wealth to sinister control, as reported by TheWrap.
Ruffalo defended his stance, insisting that criticizing Israeli leadership or a military tech supplier is not the same as attacking Jewish people. He stated his views come from political conviction and expressed respect for the Jewish community.
The actor also argued the merger threatens editorial freedom and thousands of jobs, urging regulators to block the $111 billion deal.
