# Mark Ruffalo activism regarding Israel and Gaza > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mark-ruffalo-activism-regarding-israel-and-gaza > Updated: 2026-09-03T09:40:00.000Z. Sources: 92. Developments: 6. Actor Mark Ruffalo has utilized social media to criticize Israeli leadership and corporate entities regarding the conflict in Gaza. Initially, Ruffalo targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a “murderous maniac” and asserting that the removal of International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan would not prevent accountability for alleged war crimes and atrocities. Subsequently, Ruffalo expanded his criticism to include corporate interests, specifically linking a proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to Oracle’s technological ties to the Israeli military. He characterized the situation in Gaza as a “genocide” and an “apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle.” He further characterized Larry Ellison as a “classic Oligarch” and warned that the merger would consolidate wealth and harm workers. Ruffalo specifically linked the deal to Oracle through Paramount CEO David Ellison, the son of Larry Ellison. Paramount issued a sharp rebuttal, labeling Ruffalo’s use of terms like “genocide” and “apartheid” in the context of a corporate transaction as “antisemitic tropes.” The studio stated that such rhetoric “cheapens the very real suffering those words are meant to describe” and called his comments “a bridge too far.” Ruffalo responded on X, calling the accusation of antisemitism “appalling and fundamentally dishonest,” asserting that his criticism is directed at military technology contracts and corporate power rather than Jewish people. The controversy has drawn significant industry reactions. While industry groups such as The Brigade condemned Ruffalo’s rhetoric, the number of Jewish artists, academics, and creative professionals defending him has grown to 184 signatories. This group, which includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jonathan Glazer, Naomi Klein, Joel Coen, Todd Haynes, and Hannah Einbinder, described the allegations against Ruffalo as “baseless.” Filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan characterized the accusations as a “cynical and disgusting lie” and a “deflection” intended to avoid the substance of Ruffalo’s political commentary. ## Claims - Mark Ruffalo linked Oracle's military technology ties to the proposed Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Mark Ruffalo rejected the antisemitism accusations, stating that criticizing military technology contracts or political leaders is not an attack on Jewish people. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Paramount accused Mark Ruffalo of using antisemitic tropes by applying terms like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ to a corporate transaction. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Paramount accused Mark Ruffalo of using antisemitic tropes by applying terms like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ to a corporate merger. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Paramount Skydance is pursuing a $110-111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Ruffalo expressed concern that Oracle's technology, used by the Israeli military, could be integrated into a massive media conglomerate following the proposed merger. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Ruffalo characterized the conflict in Gaza as a genocide and an apartheid system powered by Oracle technology. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Mark Ruffalo denied that his criticisms of the Ellison family and Oracle constitute antisemitism. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The pro-Israel group Creative Community for Peace called for a boycott of Mark Ruffalo until he apologizes for his remarks. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Actor John Cusack expressed solidarity with Mark Ruffalo following the accusations. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Mark Ruffalo receives support from 184 Jewish artists after Paramount accusations 184 Jewish artists and scientists signed a letter supporting Mark Ruffalo against antisemitism accusations made by Paramount following his criticism of the company and its ties to military technology. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-ruffalo-receives-support-from-184-jewish-artists-after-paramount-accusations ### 2026-08-31: Mark Ruffalo defended by 170 Jewish figures after Paramount antisemitism claims Over 170 Jewish industry figures are defending Mark Ruffalo against antisemitism accusations made by Paramount following his criticisms of the Ellison family and Oracle’s ties to the Israeli military. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenneth-lonergan-defends-mark-ruffalo-against-antisemitism-claims ### 2026-08-26: Mark Ruffalo disputes Paramount's antisemitism accusations amid merger controversy Mark Ruffalo faces antisemitism accusations from Paramount following his criticism of the company's proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and its ties to the Ellison family. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-ruffalo-faces-antisemitism-accusations-over-paramount-merger-criticism ### 2026-08-24: Mark Ruffalo rejects Paramount's antisemitism accusations Mark Ruffalo has rejected accusations of antisemitism from Paramount Skydance after he criticized its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and its ties to Oracle's technology contracts with Israel. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-ruffalo-denies-antisemitism-accusations-amid-paramount-merger-criticism ### 2026-08-21: Mark Ruffalo disputes Paramount's antisemitism claims amid merger row Mark Ruffalo and Paramount are in a heated dispute after the actor linked the studio's proposed merger to Oracle's ties with the Israeli military, prompting accusations of antisemitism. 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-ruffalo-opposes-paramount-warner-bros-merger ### 2026-07-28: Mark Ruffalo Calls Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a Murderous Maniac Mark Ruffalo denounced Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as a “murderous maniac,” saying the ICC chief prosecutor’s removal does not erase Gaza war‑crimes accusations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-ruffalo-calls-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-a-murderous-maniac --- Cite as: Mark Ruffalo activism regarding Israel and Gaza. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mark-ruffalo-activism-regarding-israel-and-gaza