JERUSALEM, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a new documentary film which alleges that mass civilian deaths were routinely built into targeting ‌decisions in Gaza was part of a wave of global incitement against Jews.
"NAZA", directed ‌by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday and received a 25-minute standing ovation when it was screened on Thursday.
The film takes its **** le from an Israeli military term for expected "collateral casualties" and is built around anonymous interviews with intelligence officers and soldiers involved in the war.
"It's shocking. We are fighting global antisemitic incitement and when it comes from ‌within us it is intolerable," Netanyahu ⁠said in a video posted on Telegram. "And now two Israeli directors portraying the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) as war criminals receive applause at the Venice festival."
Netanyahu's ⁠comments followed a statement from the Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, who said the film constituted an attack on the state of Israel.

#global

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay expects that both star wide receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson to be on the field on Thursday in Melbourne.
McVay said Sunday that he doesn't believe either player will be suspended for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers despite their respective off-field issues in recent months.
"Absolutely," McVay said Sunday when asked if he thought both players would be available, via ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "That's what I've heard. I haven't heard anything different."
A woman filed a lawsuit against Nacua earlier this offseason, accusing him of making antisemitic statement and biting her shoulder. The woman cited gender violence, ***** ault and battery, and negligence in her lawsuit. Nacua has denied the allegations against him.
Nacua was also involved in several incidents last season, including appearing on a live stream before a game and agreeing to perform an antisemitic touchdown celebration. Nacua entered a holistic care facility this past offseason to focus on his personal growth, and has been practicing and preparing for the 2026 campaign normally with the Rams.

#sunday

On a cold November morning, designer Isaac Mizrahi gets up, leaves his apartment, and trudges to the corner newsstand to pick up a copy of Women's Wear Daily. It's the day after Mizrahi's Spring/Summer 1994 show, and the ink on the reviews is still wet. Reading from the pages, he quotes, "'His usually great color sense failed him, his fabric sense failed him, and certainly, his sense of how a modern woman dresses after 8 p.m. failed him." The verdict is withering. Mizrahi, one of the great artists of '90s ready-to-wear fashion, has been tossed out. Disgraced. Lightly "cancelled," as some might call it these days.
Douglas Keeve's sublime 1995 documentary, "Unzipped," follows Mizrahi in the aftermath of a train wreck, piecing his reputation back together with his next collection, attempting to make something beautiful from the rubble. We find Mizrahi's world in grayscale, drained of color in the wake of critical and cultural failure. Then, the opening notes of Sandra Bernhard's 1994 cover of Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" cue the pigmentation, cascading over bright images of models in fittings, garments hanging from racks, and plenty of DayGlo faux furs. In her version, Bernhard alters the lyrics to pay tribute to Sylvester, whose untimely death left an immense legacy. "Sylvester, sister," Bernhard coos, "You were so beautiful, you were so fragile, you were so . . . real."
But just before Bernhard finishes the word, the song fades to silence, as if to say that realness — genuine authenticity in your life and work, at the cost of criticism — will always be snuffed out before it can be fully appreciated. That is the price of beauty. What is up must always come down.
(Janus Films) Isaac Mizrahi in "Unzipped"
After years in cinematic obscurity — the film hasn't been readily available outside of the eBay market in decades — "Unzipped" will return to theaters later this month, with a loving 4K restoration from Janus Films, just as another fashion-world controversy is heating up. Earlier this week, the Metropolitan Museum of Art declared it would no longer proceed with its Costume Institute's upcoming exhibition honoring John Galliano, scheduled to debut next year. When the scrapped "John Galliano: Horizons" was announced in July, the exhibition was immediately met with an outpouring of criticism. Detractors accused the museum of being tone deaf, citing a 2011 video of Galliano going on a drunken antisemitic and racist rant at a Paris bar, for which Galliano was promptly ousted from his spot as creative director at Dior. Following the video surfacing, Galliano apologized, went to rehab, and, over the last few years, experienced a brand resurgence that some would call a whitewashing.

#mizrahi #bernhard #sense

There's a list of celebrities supporting Mark Ruffalo after the "Avengers" star's latest anti-Israel bombast.
Gina Carano might have settled for just one A-list defender. Or even a D-list dweller.
Ruffalo's chronic anti-Israel rhetoric finally caught up with the 58-year-old actor. Several Jewish groups chastised his recent anti-Paramount merger rhetoric wrapped in what some called antisemitic tropes.
"Larry Ellison will own most of 'Para Bros.' Larry is a classic Oligarch. They are crushing workers and consolidating the wealth of the world for their own power and concentrated dominance."
There's a list of celebrities supporting Mark Ruffalo after the "Avengers" star's latest anti-Israel bombast. WireImage

#Israel #ruffalo #larry #supporting

George Clooney is the latest addition to Mark Ruffalo's defense team!
The A-list actor has come to his pal's rescue as he continues to come under fire for allegedly conveying antisemitic views towards the Paramount merger with Warner Bros Discovery.
Mark Ruffalo has previously warned about the adoption of Oracle technology because of their affiliation with Israeli military operations in the wake of the CEO funding Paramount's latest venture.
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
The movie star broke his silence during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival as he was set to receive the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement. He was asked to give his 2 cents on Paramount's criticism of Ruffalo, to which he reiterated his support for Ruffalo's ability to speak freely.

#george

George Clooney is defending Mark Ruffalo's right to "speak freely," including his recent criticisms of Oracle and Paramount.
Ruffalo was previously accused by Paramount of "antisemitism" for calling out the leaders of the two companies.
Clooney is the latest actor to speak up for Ruffalo, on the heels of 170 Jewish artists signing an open letter in his defense.
George Clooney is defending Mark Ruffalo's right to "speak freely" as the actor fends off accusations of antisemitism.
The past few weeks have seen the Avengers: Endgame star at the center of Hollywood discourse after criticizing the links between the tech company Oracle — which is owned by Paramount Skydance boss David Ellison's father, Larry — and the Israeli military. Last month, Ruffalo accused the company of aiding the Israeli military in committing genocide, prompting a statement from Paramount slamming the actor for invoking "antisemitic tropes."

#clooney #actor #oracle

George Clooney is coming to Mark Ruffalo's defense after the 13 Going on 30 star, 58, faced backlash for his criticism of the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
Clooney, 65, was on hand at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday, September 2 — where he was accepting the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award on the festival's opening day — and he was asked about the state of politics in America and the rise of AI, particularly when it comes to Paramount's ongoing attempt to merge with Warner Bros.
That's when the Oscar winner came to the defense of Ruffalo, who was accused by Paramount of "antisemitic tropes" after the Marvel star attacked the deal over its potential consequences for Hollywood, accusing David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, and the Ellison family of being complicit in the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
"I support Mark Ruffalo's ability to speak freely," Clooney told Variety when asked about the controversy. "It's ridiculous. We're not going to ban speech. I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it. That's important. In fact, it's part of how democracy works."
"There're gonna be people tonight in the room that are gonna disagree with most everything I say or stand for. Fair enough, that's how it's supposed to be," he continued. "We're supposed to argue these things out and come to a conclusion based on the information we take in. So I will always support Mark Ruffalo's ability to speak freely. I like him; he's a good man."

#mark #going

The artist formerly known as Kanye West is looking to prevent his past antisemitic social media posts from being used as evidence in a discrimination trial later this year.
In court documents, first spotted by TMZ and reviewed by Complex, Ye argued that the posts have nothing to do with the trial. The filing also provided a 919-page report detailing the alleged posts that would be used, which included an Instagram photo of a ******* robe, with the caption "Outfit of the day," and X posts that read, "I'm a ******* ," "I love Hitler. Now what ******* ," and "I used to f**k employees in my office."
The posts at issue come not only from Ye, but also former Ye employees YesJulz and Milo Yiannopoulos, as well as other third-party and media accounts. Ye's attorneys argue that the posts should not be included for, among other reasons, the fact that some cannot be authenticated, and that others were posted either before or after the plaintiff's "alleged employment."
Benjamin Provo, a former security guard at the now defunct Donda Academy, filed a lawsuit against Ye in 2024, accusing the rapper of discriminating against the school's Black employees.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

#posts #alleged

Kenneth Lonergan has taken a firm stand for Mark Ruffalo amid antisemitism accusations tied to his Israel-Gaza remarks. The Oscar-winning filmmaker and longtime friend of Ruffalo addressed the allegations in a letter to The Hollywood Reporter. He called the antisemitism accusation against Ruffalo "overtly preposterous" and said it was being used to silence his criticism of Israel.
Ruffalo's latest controversy followed his criticism of Oracle founder Larry Ellison and the company's reported ties to Israeli military technology. He also faced backlash from Paramount Skydance after criticizing the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The company accused him of using antisemitic tropes, but Ruffalo denied it and said he was criticizing political and corporate actions.
Lonergan's relationship with Ruffalo dates back to You Can Count on Me, his 2000 directorial debut starring Laura Linney and Ruffalo. The film was widely praised and marked the beginning of their friendship, which has continued for decades.
Their long friendship led Lonergan to publicly defend the actor. In his letter, he referred to Ruffalo as his "dear friend for thirty years." Lonergan called the antisemitism accusation "a cynical and disgusting lie" and questioned the motives behind it. He wants the Simon Wiesenthal Center to review its response and clarify where it detects any antisemitism.
Lonergan said that attacking Ruffalo personally helps critics avoid addressing his actual arguments. He also acknowledged that he "disagrees profoundly with many of his positions on the Middle East, Israel, Gaza, and Iran's constellation of fanatical Islamic fundamentalist proxies." However, Lonergan said people can disagree with Ruffalo's views without labeling his criticism of Israel as antisemitic.

#ruffalo #friend #letter #accusation

John Galliano stepped down from the 2027 Met Gala after backlash over his past antisemitic and racist incidents
N.Y.C. Council Speaker Julie Menin advocated for Galliano's removal, citing the Met's public funding and the decision's implications
The Met is considering new themes and reportedly has two alternatives in place, a source tells PEOPLE
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is speaking out following John Galliano's exit from the 2027 Met Gala.
On Monday, Aug. 31, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute and the designer announced the Met Gala and the museum's spring exhibition would no longer feature Galliano's work. The news came after the July 31 announcement that the 2027 theme would be "John Galliano: Horizons" faced backlash due to Galliano's past controversies.

#council #backlash #past #people

The 2027 Met Gala will no longer honor John Galliano following mounting backlash against an exhibit dedicated to the controversial British designer.
Galliano, 65, announced in an Instagram statement Monday that he was pulling out of the iconic New York City event. "After much reflection and discussion with all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time," he wrote.
He continued: "I do not want the debate surrounding me to place the Met in a difficult position or to distract from the remarkable work of the Costume Institute. I also recognise and respect that an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced last month that the annual event would be **** led "John Galliano: Horizon," prompting immediate criticism over the decision to platform the designer after antisemitic and racist remarks he made in 2011.
Galliano added: "I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry."

#caused

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was seen enjoying himself and dancing at a Jewish Bat Mitzvah in LA on Sunday. This celebration comes eight months after Nacua faced major backlash for using an offensive, antisemitic gesture.
Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams smiles before the game against Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Ric Tapia - The Sporting Tribune
Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams smiles before the game against Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Back on Dec. 16, Nacua joined streamers Adin Ross and N3on on a live broadcast, where Ross suggested a new touchdown celebration for him. The move, leaning forward and rubbing his hands, carries deeply offensive, antisemitic connotations, as per reports. Seemingly unaware of the gesture's harmful meaning, Nacua agreed to use it in his upcoming game with the Rams.

#nacua #Seattle #sofi

When Amy-Jill Levine was a child in Massachusetts, a schoolmate in her predominantly Catholic hometown told her she was guilty of killing Christ because she was Jewish.
Her mother reassured her that wasn't the case — and instead of being embittered by the encounter, the young Levine began attending a Catholic catechism class to learn more about her Christian neighbors and their beliefs.
That blossomed into a decades-long academic career in an unusual role — a Jewish scholar of Christian Scriptures. Levine has worked to improve how Christians and her fellow Jews understand each other. She's spoken at many churches and taught students about the ancient Jewish context of Jesus' life and teachings. She's written numerous books, some in tandem with Christian scholars; she and a co-author even presented one book personally to Pope Francis.
But after the Catholic Biblical **** ociation of America announced earlier this month that Levine was elected its first-ever Jewish president, an antisemitic backlash began.
Denunciations appeared in the posts and replies on social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers. Critics called her "anti-Christian," claimed she's trying to hijack Catholicism, denounced Jews for not accepting Jesus, and tacked on anti-Zionist comments.

#jewish #jill #massachusetts

Conservatives piled on Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell after she argued Republicans are trying to make Michigan's Senate race about socialist streamer Hasan Piker, with critics saying her frustration only highlighted a political vulnerability for Democrats.
"Debbie Dingell CRASHES OUT over terrorist-sympathizer Hasan Piker who has called to kill Republicans,'" wrote the Republican National Committee's research account.
Critics took aim at Dingell for campaigning with Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed after she told reporters she was done answering questions about Piker, whose past inflammatory remarks have drawn renewed scrutiny and pressure on Democrats to respond.
Democrats Condemning Hasan Piker As Backlash Spreads Through Party
"YIKES: Democrats are getting tired of defending Abdul El-Sayed for his antisemitic campaign surrogate Hasan Piker Rep. Debbie Dingell: 'I am DONE. So don't any reporter ask me again about Hasan Piker.' El-Sayed has yet to disavow Piker," wrote Senate Republicans on X.

#dingell #senate

When you find out an actor whose work you enjoy is blatantly racist and antisemitic in real life, does that realization ruin every movie they've been a part of?
What about an author who has expressed harmful opinions about a marginalized group? What about a smart, witty comedian who turns out to be a serial ******* ual ******* aulter? Where do you draw the line between a creator and their creation? As someone with his feet in both worlds, actor Wil Wheaton weighed in on that question and offered a refreshingly reasonable perspective back in 2021.
"Question: I have more of an opinion question for you. When fans of things hear about misconduct happening on sets/behind-the-scenes are they allowed to still enjoy the thing? Or should it be boycotted completely? Example: I've been a major fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer since I was a teenager and it was currently airing. I really nerded out on it and when I lost my Dad at age 16. 'The Body' episode had me in such cathartic tears. Now we know about Joss Whedon. I haven't rewatched a single episode since his behavior came to light. As a fan, do I respectfully have to just box that away? Is it disrespectful of the actors that went through it to knowingly keep watching?"
Wil Wheaton in 2026. Photo credit: wikipedia
And Wheaton offered this response, which he shared:

#question #actor #example

Jane Fonda is stepping into the chat regarding Paramount's public clash with Mark Ruffalo, with the two-time Oscar winner accusing the studio of trying to weaken legitimate criticism of one of Hollywood's largest proposed mergers.
Fonda and her 1A Committee issued a memo on Instagram on Tuesday, August 23, defending Ruffalo, 58, after Paramount described the Avengers star's comments as antisemitic.
Fonda, 88, founded the group to advocate for free expression in the entertainment industry.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
"Calling his criticism antisemitic is a smear to delegitimize criticism of the merger and to distract from the question Paramount would rather not answer: Should one company be allowed to accumulate this much power over our movies, television and news?" Fonda said.

#antisemitic #mark #oscar #committee

An entertainment industry group that includes Hollywood producers Haim Saban, Lawrence Bender and Teddy Schwarzman has released a statement condemning the alleged "antisemitic tropes" underpinning Mark Ruffalo's opposition to Paramount's leadership amid its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
The statement comes from a group calling itself The Brigade, which describes itself as "a group of nearly 1,000 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."
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Hannah Einbinder Defends Mark Ruffalo From Paramount "Antisemitism" Claim: "All of Us Artists Could Stand to Be More Like Mark"
Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Calls Out Mark Ruffalo's Paramount Remarks: "Obsession and Demonization"

#industry #statement #itself

Jane Fonda has released a statement in support of Mark Ruffalo after Paramount slammed the four-time Oscar nominee as "antisemitic" for a recent post denouncing Larry Ellison's ties to Israel and David Ellison's planned merger with Warner Bros.
"Especially as a Jewish American, I find it deeply troubling to see false accusations of antisemitism used to silence legitimate political criticism in this country," Fonda wrote in a statement shared to the Committee for the 1st Amendment Instagram. "Antisemitism is real and dangerous, which is precisely why the charge should never be used as a cudgel against people whose political views you dislike, in this case as dedicated a crusader for democracy as Mark, whom we are proud to have as a Committee member and to be in this fight with us."
More from Variety
Iowa Attorney General Says She's Taking California to the Supreme Court Over Paramount-Warner Bros. Lawsuit
Haim Saban, Teddy Schwarzman and Lawrence Bender Among Those Condemning 'Antisemitic' Tropes in Mark Ruffalo's Paramount Discourse: It 'Puts Our Community in Grave Danger'

#warner #bros

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is slamming comments from Hasan Piker after the far-left controversial online streamer suggested that Jewish Americans were inviting violence against themselves over their support for Israel.
"The malicious claim that American Jews are inviting violence against themselves is dangerous and antisemitic," Jeffries charged in a social media post. And he added in a CNN interview on Tuesday that Piker's comments were "malicious" and "should not be tolerated by anyone in the public square."
While Jeffries became the highest-ranking congressional Democrat to fire back at Piker, the criticism from the top Democrat in the U.S. House comes after he has largely stayed silent on the far-left insurgency, backed in part by Piker, that's gripped his party this election cycle.
Jeffries spoke out after Piker, on his stream last week, featured an image of state Sen. Jeremy Moss, the Democratic nominee in Michigan's 11th Congressional District. Moss, who is Jewish, has said that people are sharing a fake audio clip of him claiming that his entire reason for running for Congress is to make sure that America continues to support Israel.
El-sayed Tries To Distance Himself From Hasan Piker After Latest Firestorm

#jeffries #hasan #Israel #democrat

"Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder has come to the defense of Mark Ruffalo after Paramount accused him of invoking "antisemitic tropes" when criticizing the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
It all kicked off on Friday, when Ruffalo shared a clip on Instagram of Paramount board member Safra Catz outlining "really profoundly scary technologies" that Oracle — the tech giant co-founded by Larry Ellison, father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who is involved in the merger's financing — used to help the Israeli military after the Oct. 7 terror attack. Ruffalo likened Larry Ellison to a "classic oligarch" and warned of the consequences if Paramount and Warner Bros. are allowed to merge, alleging that the Ellisons "are crushing workers and consolidating the wealth of the world for their own power and concentrated dominance." Of Catz, he said: "Look how she revels in what we now have come to see as a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle."
More from Variety
'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' Sequel Set Up at Paramount; Kate Hudson to Produce (EXCLUSIVE)
Mark Ruffalo Called Out Over 'Extremist and Antisemitic Messaging' by Simon Wiesenthal Center, Creative Communities For Peace

#bros

Hannah Einbinder shared a lengthy Instagram story post on Monday evening supporting Mark Ruffalo after he was accused of being antisemitic by a Paramount spokesperson for highlighting the Ellison family's connection to the Israeli state and its military apparatus.
"I'm so grateful that Mark Ruffalo drew a connection between the Ellisons providing military technology to Israel during a genocide and their unprecedented media takeover–and pointed out that this is a dangerous consolidation of power that could ultimately be used against us," Einbinder posted.
More from Deadline
Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Calls Out Mark Ruffalo For "Antisemitism" & "Demonization"
Mark Ruffalo Blasts Paramount For Calling Him "Antisemitic" Over Merger Criticism: "Appalling And Fundamentally Dishonest"

#paramount #Monday

John Cusack has publicly backed Mark Ruffalo in the actor's increasingly heated fight with Paramount Skydance over its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Cusack quote-posted Ruffalo's response to the company over the weekend and added just three words: "Solidarity - well said." Paramount had said the actor invoked "antisemitic tropes" while arguing against the deal.
Ruffalo called that accusation "appalling and fundamentally dishonest." He said his criticism concerned Israeli government policy, a military technology contract and the corporate executives involved, and that his views "should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people."
The confrontation began after Ruffalo shared footage of Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member Safra Catz discussing technology Oracle made available to Israel after the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. He connected the clip to Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, whose son David Ellison is Paramount's chairman and CEO, and to his wider opposition to the Warner Bros. transaction.
Cusack offered no further explanation with his post. The message accompanied Ruffalo's full statement, which defended scrutiny of Oracle's government contracts and data and surveillance businesses while raising concerns about possible job losses and editorial independence if the acquisition proceeds.

#oracle

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, distanced himself Monday from progressive commentator Hasan Piker, who suggested that some pro-Israel rhetoric may lead to backlash against American Jews.
The controversy could complicate El-Sayed's campaign as he tries to unify Democrats in a battleground state that will help decide control of the U.S. Senate.
El Sayed is one of several Democratic candidates this year who harnessed Piker's online megaphone to appeal to younger voters, and they appeared together at campaign events during the primary, but last week's comments may have cooled the relationship.
Wearing a suit and tie during one of his typically hours-long livestreams, Piker argued against the idea that opposing Israel is antisemitic. American Jews are not uniformly supportive of Israel, he said, but many "Jewish institutions" are "teaching people the idea that Jews are monolithic" and "its a very dangerous mode of propaganda."
"If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel mind you, but against American Jews," he said.

#jews #democratic #sayed #campaign

Mark Ruffalo is rejecting Paramount Skydance's accusation that his criticism of the company's proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition invoked antisemitic tropes.
The actor responded in an August 22 X post, calling the accusation "appalling and fundamentally dishonest." Ruffalo argued that criticizing Israeli government policy, military technology contracts or corporate executives should not automatically be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people.
The dispute began after Ruffalo shared a video involving Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member Safra Catz while attacking the proposed merger and the Ellison family's business interests. Paramount then issued an unusually pointed response, telling Variety that it was troubled by what it described as antisemitic tropes being invoked in a business dispute.
Ruffalo has opposed the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal for months on antitrust, employment and media-consolidation grounds. The approximately $111 billion transaction has cleared a federal antitrust review but remains on hold because of a lawsuit brought by California and 11 other states.
In his response to Paramount, Ruffalo said his comments were directed at political decisions, corporate relationships and the use of technology rather than Jewish people. "Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people," he wrote.

#paramount #technology #israeli

John Cusack is boosting public support for Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk actor pushes back against antisemitism claims tied to his criticism of Paramount Skydance.
Ruffalo, 58, has been outspoken about the company's proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. and has questioned its executives' business ties to Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack.
The Guardian reported that Paramount responded on Friday, August 21, saying it was "troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute."
The company added that it does not tolerate prejudice and said it wants the proposed transaction judged on its legal merits.
Starbuck/ AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

#paramount #business #cusack

John Cusack has made his position known as Mark Ruffalo challenges Paramount's allegations. The Hulk star is locked in a feud with Paramount Skydance over its its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount responded with a statement accusing Ruffalo of invoking "antisemitic tropes" in a business dispute.
Mark Ruffalo has found an ally in John Cusack, who is standing by him in solidarity as he weathers antisemitism accusations. According to Entertainment Weekly, the allegations emerged after Ruffalo condemned Oracle last week. The tech company is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. His son, David Ellison, heads Paramount Skydance and is spearheading the $110 billion bid to merge Paramount with Warner Bros.
Ruffalo rejected the antisemitism claims in a lengthy response on X (formerly Twitter). It read, "The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people."
The 13 Going on 30 actor clarified that his views stem from his own political beliefs. He emphasized that no one should interpret his views as animosity toward Jewish people. Ruffalo also noted that his Jewish friends and colleagues have deeply shaped his understanding of acting, activism, and humanism. Those loved ones, he said, have been like family to him throughout his life.
John Cusack, who has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights and a critic of corporate consolidation in Hollywood, weighed in shortly after. Responding to Ruffalo's statement, Cusack wrote simply: "Solidarity — well said."

#john #mark

Creative Community for Peace, the Hollywood-based pro-Israel advocacy group, said enough is enough and called for a Mark Ruffalo boycott following his "antisemitic" remarks against the Ellison family and their pending Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
After the Marvel actor's incendiary comments against the deal on Friday — in which he drew a line from David and Larry Ellison's Oracle ties to what he called Israel's "genocide" in Gaza — the long-running entertainment nonprofit called on Hollywood to rescind their support of Ruffalo and his work until he apologizes and retracts his statements.
"Mark Ruffalo's rhetoric has increasingly crossed the line from criticism of Israel into extremist and antisemitic messaging," CCFP Executive Director Ari Ingel said in a statement Saturday.
Ingel added that his argument against Paramount's merger "increasingly fuses hostility toward Israel and Zionism with Jewish-associated wealth, media ownership, oligarchic power and ominous warnings about concentrated control into a single narrative."
"Those echoes are impossible to ignore. Hollywood should not accept this kind of rhetoric from anyone. Mark Ruffalo should retract these remarks and apologize, and ****** ody in Hollywood should platform him until he does."

#mark #ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo is rejecting Paramount's claim that his recent comments highlighting the role Larry Ellison's Oracle played in the Israel-Gaza war were "antisemitic."
"The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest," Ruffalo wrote on X Saturday morning. "Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect. Everything I know about acting, activism and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life."
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Mark Ruffalo Links Paramount to Oracle's Israeli Military Ties. The Studio Calls Remarks "Antisemitic"
Gavin Newsom Says Paramount Settlement Talks Happening in "Real Time," Signals He'd Like a Deal

#Israel #paramount

Mark Ruffalo and Paramount are locked in an increasingly heated war of words over the company's proposed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The media giant accused the "Avengers" actor of invoking "antisemitic tropes" after he connected the corporate transaction to Oracle technology used to **** ist the Israeli military. Ruffalo quickly rejected the allegation as "appalling" and insisted his criticism was aimed at political leaders and corporate executives, not Jewish people.
MEGA
Paramount issued a lengthy statement after Ruffalo posted a video featuring Safra Catz discussing technology Oracle reportedly made available to the Israeli military. "We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute," the company said in a statement shared by CNN's Brian Stelter.
Paramount specifically objected to Ruffalo's use of the words "genocide" and "apartheid" while criticizing the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. The company said the language was inappropriate when applied to a corporate transaction and argued that it diminished the suffering those terms are normally used to describe.
Paramount said "this brings us to a moment to lower the temperature, not raise it," adding that it would "rather build than further engage in such rhetoric." "This simply exposes the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction," its statement continued.

#corporate #transaction #statement

Mark Ruffalo has refuted charges that he is antisemitic. According to the actor, the accusation is baseless and criticizing the Israeli prime minister is not equivalent to being antisemitic.
"The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect. Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life," Ruffalo tweeted.
Ruffalo is known as a controversial figure in Hollywood who is ready to speak out, regardless of possible criticism. For example, he faced backlash from people who criticized him for opposing the proposed media merger and criticizing its executives.
"This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country," Ruffalo wrote. "Scrutinizing the Ellisons, including Oracle's business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary. The $111 billion deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., backed in part by foreign money whose influence on editorial decisions has never been fully explained to the public."
These statements coincide with concerns voiced by media watchdogs and freedom-of-the-press activists, as well as problems ****** ociated with one family acquiring numerous media properties and a lack of transparency in financing such deals.

#family