Director Backs Mark Ruffalo Following Accusations of Antisemitism

Director Kenneth Lonergan is standing by Mark Ruffalo following accusations of antisemitism against the actor.

In a letter to The Hollywood Reporter, published on Monday, August 31, Lonergan, 63, stated, “Mark Ruffalo has been discussing Israel long before the Gaza war began. Aside from some typical social media exchanges, nobody serious that I know has accused him of antisemitism. Yet, Paramount has now done just that, particularly in light of his ongoing criticisms of David Ellison and the forthcoming Paramount merger.”

On Friday, August 21, Ruffalo, 58, expressed his concerns on Instagram regarding the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, while linking billionaire Larry Ellison—father of Paramount CEO David Ellison—and Oracle to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. He included a recent clip of Safra Catz, Oracle’s executive vice chair and a Paramount board member, discussing “profoundly scary technologies” that Oracle supplied to the Israeli government following the October 7 terror attacks in 2023. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 70,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since Israel initiated military actions in the region, including more than 20,000 children.

In response to Ruffalo’s public criticisms, Paramount Skydance issued a statement that was later characterized as antisemitic.

“We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute,” a Paramount spokesperson remarked on Friday. “Using terms like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ in relation to a corporate transaction is not only incorrect but crosses a line that diminishes the genuine suffering those terms are meant to depict. This does not warrant a reaction in kind—and we want to be clear, we do not condone prejudice of any form against anyone.”

In his letter defending Ruffalo, Lonergan added, “While I believe I share Mark’s fundamental humanitarian concerns and share his disapproval of the war as I understand it, I fundamentally disagree with many of his views on Israel, Gaza, and Iran’s network of fanatical Islamic fundamentalist proxies. I think we have a mutual disdain for fanatical Messianic Zionist fundamentalism.”

Lonergan, who collaborated with Ruffalo on the 2000 drama You Can Count on Me, noted that he and the Marvel actor have been friends for three decades.

“The idea that he harbors antisemitic tendencies is blatantly ridiculous, and the accusation itself is a cynical and repugnant fabrication. I wish the Simon Wiesenthal Center would take a look at his comments and their own response, and clarify exactly where they detect any antisemitism,” he pointed out. “A similar charge against Mark for his recent social media post—a post, mind you, described this week by K.J. Yossman of Variety as a screed—has come from Ari Infel and the Creative Community for Peace. This indictment is as baseless, scurrilous, and shameful as the last. Shame on its authors and signatories—especially those few who truly know Mark, have worked closely with him, and should know better.”

Lonergan concluded, “I have no issue with anyone who wishes to challenge Mark’s—or anyone else’s—views. However, as with all such diversions, the flimsy accusations made against him by his critics point directly back to the soft spots in their own arguments, which they cannot or will not defend by genuinely engaging with what he has said. It’s an old tactic, and a regrettable one.”

Ruffalo previously defended his statements in an X post on Saturday, August 22.

“The claim that I am antisemitic is shocking and fundamentally dishonest,” the 13 Going on 30 actor wrote. “Criticizing the actions of the Israeli Prime Minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not equivalent to criticizing Jewish people. This important and necessary dialogue is then deceitfully presented as being anti-Israel.”

He added, “My views stem from my personal political beliefs and should never be misconstrued as animosity toward Jewish individuals, for whom I feel deep love and respect. Everything I have learned about acting, activism, and humanitarianism has been profoundly influenced by my Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been a crucial part of my life.”