Paramount criticized for anti-Semitism accusation against Mark Ruffalo

More than 180 Jewish figures from Hollywood — including actors, writers and directors — have backed Mark Ruffalo after Paramount accused the actor of anti-Semitism for linking the company’s planned $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The controversy erupted after Ruffalo, known for his role in the Avengers franchise, shared an old video of Oracle co-founder Safra Catz boasting about her company’s support for Israel’s military during the war in Gaza. Ruffalo called Oracle’s technology “powering some of the most destructive forces in the world” and accused the merger of being “illegal.” Paramount responded by calling his remarks “anti-Semitic tropes,” arguing that critiquing Israel’s government or military contracts equates to attacking all Jewish people. Ruffalo rejected the claim as “appalling and fundamentally dishonest,” insisting his criticism was of policy and corporate involvement, not Jewish identity.

The dispute reflects a growing trend in the U.S., where accusations of anti-Semitism are increasingly used to silence criticism of Israel amid rising public opposition to its military actions in Gaza. Experts say the tactic has intensified as more Americans, including Jewish Americans, question U.S. support for Israel’s war. The controversy also highlights a rift within Hollywood, where some stars have openly criticized the merger while others defend corporate ties to Israel’s military.

Paramount’s public rebuke of Ruffalo has sparked broader debate about free speech and the weaponization of anti-Semitism. While some Jewish leaders, like the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Jim Berk, condemned Ruffalo’s comments as “demonisation,” others argue that conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Jewish hatred stifles legitimate political discourse. The merger, which critics say benefits corporate elites at the expense of workers and consumers, remains a flashpoint in the culture wars.