Mark Ruffalo links Paramount-Warner Bros. merger to Oracle’s technology work with Israel

Actor Mark Ruffalo ignited a firestorm in Hollywood on August 22, 2026, by accusing the Ellison family of leveraging Oracle’s involvement in Israeli military operations to facilitate the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. In a widely shared Instagram post, Ruffalo linked the proposed $30 billion deal to Oracle’s technology work supporting Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Ruffalo’s post included a video featuring Safra Catz, vice chair of Oracle, discussing the firm’s technological assistance to Israel following the October 7 attacks. He criticized Oracle as a tool used by Larry Ellison to finance the acquisition of Warner Bros. by his son, David Ellison. Ruffalo warned that the merger could lead to the creation of one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, potentially using Oracle’s technology to target individuals in the future. He further condemned Catz, describing her as someone who “revels in what we now understand as genocide, built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle.” His remarks drew immediate backlash from Paramount, which accused Ruffalo of using “antisemitic imagery” to advance his opposition to the merger. A Paramount spokesperson told TheWrap that the company was “always troubled when alleged antisemitic imagery is used in the service of a business dispute.” They emphasized that terms like “genocide” and “apartheid,” when applied to a corporate transaction, were not only incorrect but also “cheapened the real suffering those words were intended to describe.” The statement reiterated Paramount’s stance against all forms of prejudice and urged those involved to “lower the temperature, not raise it.” The studio also clarified that it would not blacklist creators opposing the merger, stating, “Our commitment to excellent content matches our commitment to acceptance, for every story, every storyteller, with no blacklists and no exceptions.” This assurance came amid growing concerns over the potential impact of the merger on employment in the entertainment sector. Ruffalo has been vocal about his opposition to the merger for several months, citing its negative effects on workers. He previously argued that such mergers typically harm employees, consumers, and the broader industry. In a recent statement, he estimated that the deal could lead to the loss of around 4,500 direct jobs in Los Angeles’s film and television industry, alongside thousands more indirect job losses. His criticisms extend beyond the merger itself. Ruffalo has long expressed anti-Israel views, including advocating for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions against Israel. During a September 2025 interview on Mehdi Hasan’s podcast, he called for the “boycott, divestment, sanctions, and prosecution” of Israel and discussed the emotional toll of the war in Gaza. A clip from that interview resurfaced in July, revealing that Ruffalo had distanced himself from some Jewish actors who supported Israel due to their positions on the conflict. The fallout from Ruffalo’s comments has intensified tensions within Hollywood, particularly regarding the intersection of political activism and corporate interests. As the merger moves forward, the debate over its implications continues to unfold, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives on the issue. The situation remains under close scrutiny, with further developments anticipated in the coming weeks.