Hollywood Stars Defend Mark Ruffalo Against Antisemitism Accusations

The Conflict Over Corporate Acquisitions and Gaza

The controversy centers on Ruffalo’s public criticism of the merger, specifically his focus on Oracle, a company co-founded by Larry Ellison. Paramount Skydance is 47 per cent owned by CEO David Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison. In August, Ruffalo shared a video of Oracle executive vice-chair Safra Catz speaking at the Israeli-American Council National Summit, where she mentioned the company’s efforts to “advance the agenda for the Israeli military.”

Ruffalo argued that the merger involves entities supporting the war in Gaza, which he described as a “genocide” built on an “apartheid system of oppression.” In response, a statement from Paramount provided to outlets including TheWrap claimed that Ruffalo’s language “cheapens the very real suffering those words are meant to describe” and invoked antisemitic tropes by linking a corporate transaction to the conflict.

Competing Perspectives in Hollywood

The debate has split segments of the Jewish creative community. Before the current letter of support for Ruffalo was released, a separate petition signed by over 1,000 Jewish entertainment industry members condemned the actor. That group alleged that Ruffalo’s statements “singled out Jewish executives” using rhetoric associated with “centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories.”

Ruffalo has rejected these claims. In a post on X, he stated that his criticism was directed at “the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract or the executives who supply it.” He added that his views “should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people.”

Oracle’s Stance on Israel

Oracle has maintained a public position of support for Israel throughout the ongoing war in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, the company announced a $1 million donation to Magen David Adom. Shmulik Hauzer, who leads sales at Oracle Israel, told the news outlet Ynet in 2025 that supporting Israel is “in our DNA” and that the company’s agenda remains consistent despite the potential loss of clients.

Regarding the technology mentioned by Ruffalo, a spokesperson for Safra Catz told the Hollywood Reporter that the tools provided to the Israeli military were intended for the rescue of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.

Broader Industry Implications

Beyond the geopolitical debate, the merger itself remains a focal point for antitrust regulators. Ruffalo has criticized the potential deal as a “classic antitrust case,” warning that it could lead to higher consumer prices and job losses. Paramount has defended the transaction, arguing in court filings that the merger would create a stronger competitor against other dominant streaming platforms.

Signatories to the letter defending Ruffalo include author Naomi Klein, physician Gabor Maté, and actor Ilana Glazer. The group stated they stand with “all decent people who are bravely rising and speaking truth to power.”

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