More than 170 Jewish artists, writers, and entertainment professionals recently signed an open letter supporting actor Mark Ruffalo after Paramount accused him of using antisemitic tropes in his criticism of the studio’s merger with Warner Bros. The letter denounces the accusations as an “outrageous smear campaign,” asserting that criticism of the merger and Israeli actions in Gaza does not equate to antisemitism.
Notable signatories include Hannah Einbinder, Tony Kushner, and Jane Schoenbrun. The controversy ignited from Ruffalo’s social media post criticizing the merger while citing the Ellison family’s alleged role in Palestinian suffering, leading Paramount to label his comments as crossing a line.
Ruffalo rejected the antisemitism claim, stating that criticizing specific actions and individuals related to Israeli military contracts is not an attack on Jewish people.
The letter also highlights a poll indicating that many American Jews view Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes, framing the connection between Gaza and Hollywood as an expression of Jewish ethical responsibility rather than prejudice.
Two opposing letters have emerged from the incident, with another group condemning Ruffalo’s comments and claiming they reflect antisemitism. Support for Paramount’s stance came from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Creative Communities for Peace.
The merger itself remains in limbo, facing lawsuits from multiple states, with a trial set for March 2027. Paramount has not responded to requests regarding the open letter’s contents.
