Marisa Tomei Backs Mark Ruffalo Amid Antisemitism Backlash: “We Stand With Mark”

Marisa Tomei has joined other celebrities backing Mark Ruffalo. In her Instagram story, she shared a message from the 1A Committee stating that the accusations of antisemitism directed at Ruffalo regarding the opposition to the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger are unjustified.

Aunt May in Spider-Man films, Tomei published the 1A Committee’s message and noted, “We stand with Mark.” As per the 1A Committee, the accusations of antisemitism are groundless and distract from the real problems of the debate on the merger.

According to the 1A Committee, Ruffalo is an artist using his authority to advocate for democracy, human rights, freedom of speech, and the future of the media. The Committee believes that the performer has the right to express his opinion on any issue even if people disagree with him. The memo the 1A Committee issued Tuesday mentions actress Jane Fonda’s statement about Ruffalo’s right to criticize politics, big companies, and the deal.

The controversy began early this month when Ruffalo uploaded an old video of the Paramount board member Safra Catz speaking about the usage of Oracle technology by the Israeli military after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, resulting in the death of 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals and 251 people held hostage.

Ruffalo called Larry Ellison a “classic oligarch,” warned about the intentions of his son to merge Paramount with Warner Bros. Discovery, and asked people to think about “genocide built on apartheid.”

In another post, Ruffalo noted that the merger will influence the employees and the country as well. He stated that it is justified to criticize Ellison, Oracle’s data and surveillance business, and threats to editorial independence.

The $111 billion deal will unite CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. under one family. As per Ruffalo, the claims about his antisemitism are appalling and dishonest.

Paramount denounced Ruffalo’s posts, saying they reveal the true motives of some people behind the deal and urging people to calm down.

Several industry associations are against Ruffalo. One association, The Brigade, which claims to represent around 1,000 Jewish entertainment workers and their allies, published a letter signed by producers Haim Saban, Lawrence Bender and Teddy Schwarzman. According to the letter, blaming Jewish executives for antisemitism using Israel as a frame is unacceptable.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Creative Community for Peace also criticized Ruffalo. The latter organization called on Hollywood to boycott Ruffalo until his apology.

Several performers supported Ruffalo. Hannah Einbinder from the series “Hacks” noted that the claims about antisemitism are ridiculous.

Ruffalo stars in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which has earned over $2 billion.