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Haim Saban, Teddy Schwarzman and Lawrence Bender are among a group of industry figures who have put their names to a statement condemning “antisemitic theories” in Mark Ruffalo’s Paramount discourse.
“Singling out Jewish
executives and describing them in terms lifted from centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories, while invoking Israel as the frame for that attack, is antisemitic,” they say.
Others putting their name to the statement include Ram Bergman, Anthony Bregman, Lynn Harris, Matti Leshem, Jamie Patricoff, Craig Emanuel, Shep Rosenman and Micah Green. The group have publicly endorsed the letter on behalf of a group of over a thousand Jews and allies in the media, music and entertainment industries.
“This is not commentary on a merger. It is not a criticism of a government. This is simple antisemitism, where Jewish executives are portrayed as a secretive and powerful wealth-hoarding elite delighting in mass death,” the statement continues. “This is the same rhetoric that Nazis, Soviets, and the Klan weaponized against Jews, and its consequences are not only historical: they show up today in attacks against Jews in our streets, our synagogues, and our schools.”
“This is a callous continuation of the ongoing campaign by the same individuals and groups targeting Jewish people and the state of Israel, a pattern of antisemitism and misinformation that puts our community in grave danger.”
The statement was made amid the ongoing war of words between the Marvel actor, who is currently starring in the $2 billion-grossing “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and Paramount Skydance, which is in the process of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery.
Ruffalo has been one of the most outspoken critics of the deal, spearheading numerous open letters, op-eds and social media posts opposing the acquisition.
On Friday, however, many felt his relentless criticism of Paramount, which is headed by David Ellison, had crossed over into overt antisemitism when the four-time Oscar nominee posted a video clip of a Jewish Paramount board member Safra Catz speaking on a panel last year and urged his 21 million Instagram followers to “look how she revels in… genocide.” (Catz is former CEO of Larry Ellison’s tech company Oracle). In his commentary Ruffalo also said the Ellisons are “crushing workers and consolidating the wealth of the world for their own power.”
Paramount responded robustly to his claims, saying it was “troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute.” Ruffalo fired back on X, calling the accusation “appalling and fundamentally dishonest.”
Paramount’s statement was supported by the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Creative Communities for Peace. Hannah Einbeinder, Emmy-winning star of comedy “Hacks,” was among those who posted their support of Ruffalo.
Read the full letter below:
“We are writing on behalf of a group of nearly 1000 members, friends, and allies of the Jewish community who are proud to be working in film, television, music, Broadway, social and digital, and other platforms in and around the entertainment industry. It is unfortunate that we are yet again forced to state our unequivocal condemnation of the use of antisemitic tropes and narratives by those who use their platform for targeted hate speech toward Jews.
Singling out Jewish executives and describing them in terms lifted from centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories, while invoking Israel as the frame for that attack, is antisemitic. It is unacceptable to introduce Jews, antizionism, or antisemitism into conversations about business transactions, simply because those involved are Jewish. There is nothing “strange” about a Jewish executive discussing substantive issues about tech.
This is not commentary on a merger. It is not a criticism of a government. It is simple antisemitism, where Jewish executives are portrayed as a secretive and powerful wealth-hoarding elite delighting in mass death. This is the same rhetoric that Nazis, Soviets, and the Klan weaponized against Jews, and its consequences are not only historical: they show up today in attacks against Jews in our streets, our synagogues, and our schools.
This is a callous continuation of the ongoing campaign by the same individuals and groups targeting Jewish people and the state of Israel, a pattern of antisemitism and misinformation that puts our community in grave danger.
There is no excuse and no defense for this rhetoric, including the “I have Jewish friends” rationale, and there are many questions that demand an answer — including, is there someone behind the funding of this campaign that is continuously perpetrated by the same individuals?
We will keep standing up against this hatred. Because when we say, NEVER AGAIN, we mean it.”
