More than two years after Selma Blair posted a comment widely criticized as Islamophobic, for which she later apologized, the actress has revealed the alleged repercussions she experienced in her career and personal life.
The 54-year-old said in a speech on Oct. 1 that she felt "erased" after losing partnerships, legal and career representation and a "best friend" over the February 2024 comment.
The speech took place at the Anti-Defamation League's event at the Jewish Museum in New York City, which celebrated the launch of the organization's State of the Arts: Advancing Jewish Inclusion in Arts, Entertainment and Culture platform.
In the since-deleted message, the "Cruel Intentions" star had issued a call to "deport all these terrorist supporting goons" under a video describing former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Rashida Tlaib as "Jew hating antisemites" for voting against legislation that would have imposed sanctions against people, agencies and governments that "assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad or their affiliates."
"The brands I worked with were gone within a day. A few partnerships I'd spent years building were shelved. My agency was gone. My lawyer was gone. My publicist was gone. My book agent was gone. My book publicist was gone. My social media manager was gone. My son's godmother was gone – my best friend," Blair said from the podium.

#blair #jewish #Career #partnerships

Comedian Bill Maher spent the first night of Rosh Hashanah taking aim at Macklemore and other anti-Israel celebrities, arguing that calling the war in Gaza a genocide is fueling a global rise in antisemitism.
During Friday night's episode of HBO's "Real Time," Maher first criticized members of the Democratic Party who have spoken out against Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.
"Because nowhere has this moral confusion become more obvious than in a place called Gaza," Maher said. "A little strip of land that was not part of the original Israel, but they won in a war launched against them, but then gave back, gave back as a peace gesture — did they tell you that part on TikTok, kids?"
Bill Maher Blasts Democratic Party, Says It Is Fine With Religion 'As Long As That Faith Isn't Jewish'
Bill Maher arrives for the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

#first

Pop star Pink is under fire online for resharing an anti-Israel message and then following it up with a series of Instagram posts directed at her detractors.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, supported British musician Ed Sheeran on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in a show called Loop Tour on September 4 and 5. Donning a keffiyeh in front of an 80,000-strong audience, the rapper shouted "Free Palestine" and addressed Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying that they are not being forgotten.
"Every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom," he added, as reported by Variety.
The rapper then performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," which featured flashes of Gaza on the stadium screens. Macklemore referenced Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, named after student demonstrators at Columbia University who renamed a campus building in her honor. The rapper then addressed Jewish concertgoers, saying that criticizing Israel and condemning their actions as genocide is not a condemnation of Jewish people and that his message is a message of peace and dignity for everyone.
American pop diva, whose legal name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted a video with the message "Awful" to her Instagram Story, claiming that Jewish fans who came to see Sheeran's performance are exposed to propaganda against Israel. According to Pink, Macklemore's speech and video presentation amount to a false accusation of genocide, and people who came to the concert are entitled to "apologies and refunds."

#Instagram #macklemore

Pink faced backlash after reposting a statement from an advocacy group calling for an apology from Macklemore for advocating for Palestinians during his opening act for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey.
Pink reposted the message from the group StopAntisemitism on her Instagram stories. The message started with the word "Awful," suggesting that Jewish fans had purchased their tickets to see Sheeran but instead experienced what it referred to as anti-Israel propaganda. According to the group, the Seattle rapper had accused Israel of falsely committing a genocide, and concertgoers were owed an apology and a refund. Pink did not comment and has not yet given a reason for posting the message.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, performed for Ed Sheeran in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 as part of his Loop Tour. Dressed in a keffiyeh, the rapper told the crowd of more than 80,000 people that he wanted to stand in the stadium and say, "Free Palestine." He mentioned that he hoped people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank knew they had not been forgotten and that every human being deserved freedom.
Macklemore then sang "Hind's Hall," a protest song he released in 2024, as images of Gaza played on the stadium screens. Moreover, the rapper spoke directly to the Jewish audience, saying that criticizing Israel was not criticizing them.
His performance led the Israeli American Council to file a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove the rapper from other tour dates. The petition referred to his show as a concert and not a rally for activists and politics. It also claimed that Macklemore used his global platform to promote a one-sided political agenda. The petition asked whether the speech and visuals were approved before the event.

#macklemore #sheeran #petition

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is seeking to appear more moderate to voters while, at the same time, maintaining ties to individuals who take positions far to the left of anything he publicly endorses.
Since launching his Senate bid in April 2025, El-Sayed has distanced himself from a number of positions he had previously held and scrubbed much of his left-wing pre-campaign content from the internet. He has also repeatedly insisted that he is "not a socialist."
While attempting to convince voters that characterizations of him as a left-wing ideologue are inaccurate, El-Sayed has appeared at campaign events with and accepted endorsements from a range of political allies and supporters with controversial records or views.
El-sayed's Hasan Piker Problem Follows Him To Dem Convention As Jewish Voters Break Ranks
U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed speaks at the Michigan Democratic Party convention, on Aug. 29, 2026, in Lansing.

#democratic

Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed suggested that reporters press him about the Israel-Hamas war because of his name and his faith.
Speaking on Detroit Public Radio's "MichMash" podcast, El-Sayed pushed back on host Zach Gorchow's line of questioning about the Israel-Hamas conflict, suggesting that his name and Muslim faith play a role in the media attention surrounding the issue.
"You've been asked many times whether you support a two-state solution regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and you generally say you support equal rights to self-determination for Jewish Israelis and Palestinians," Gorchow said. "Can you tell us, what does that mean?"
Michigan Dem Hopeful Abdul El-sayed Jabs Cnn Giving Him 'Non-consensual Colonoscopy' In Recent Interviews
Michigan U.S. Sen candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, speaks with media after a debate at WoodTV studios on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

#faith

John Galliano has canceled his Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit, saying in a statement shared Monday (Aug. 31) that he remains "fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past."
In the statement, which comes amid mounting criticism against the designer, Galliano expressed gratitude to Anna Wintour and others involved with staging the exhibit, but conceded that the planned project should not move forward.
"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," Galliano said Monday, in part. "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. I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition, or a single public gesture. It is a continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning, and one's conduct over time."
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The planned exhibition, ******* led John Galliano: Horizons, had previously been slated to open in May of next year. In addition to Galliano's personal statement, Max Hollein, who serves as director and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also shared a confirmation of the cancelation.

#galliano

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

EXCLUSIVE — The head of an influential Senate committee is urging Congress to reconsider the charter of the nation's largest teachers union, citing its far-left ***** ociations and allegedly irresponsible financial activity.
In recent years, the National Education ***** ociation, which represents roughly 3 million educators, has come under fire for mobilizing students and teachers to support liberal activist campaigns, been criticized by its Jewish members for failing to address antisemitism, spent millions in membership dues supporting left-wing causes and partnered with organizations that portray political violence and far-left extremism favorably.
Now, Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, is calling on his colleagues to take a closer look at the NEA's congressional charter.
Blistering Report Exposes How National K-12 Group's Dei Agenda Is Trickling Down To Local Schools
"Children are struggling to read and to do basic math. Instead of helping students succeed, teachers' unions are injecting a dangerous, anti-American agenda into our classrooms," Cassidy told Fox News Digital. "Parents deserve to send their children to school without worrying that they will be indoctrinated with Dei and taught that Americans have 'misplaced faith' in our institutions."

#teachers #national #Education #charter

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

CNN host and former advisor to President Barack Obama Van Jones questioned if Michigan Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed thought he was "smarter than Barack Obama" on foreign policy in fiery comments discussing the "dangerous" beliefs held by many progressive figures in the Democratic Party.
El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel and former CNN commentator, has been embroiled in political controversies regarding his stance toward Israel and his relationship with a famous left-wing livestreamer, Hasan Piker.
In late August, Jones appeared on the "Ask Haviv Anything" podcast, where he addressed how the long and historic alliance between Black and Jewish Americans has recently fractured. He went on to criticize El-Sayed over his stance on Israel, saying, "his positions on Israel and foreign policy are insane."
"Look, some Democrats are going to say that we should condition military aid. That, you know, 'Israel's gone too far in Gaza and in the West Bank and in Lebanon. We're going to put some conditions on you.' I think that's a defensible position if you're a Democrat," he said. "That's not Abdul's position."
Van Jones Warns Far-left Socialist Agenda Is 'Regressive' Threat To Democratic Party

#Israel #policy

The recent scandal surrounding the Met Gala's decision to honor John Galliano with a Costume Institute retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has left many in a complicated position.
In late August 2026, the exhibition, ******* led "John Galliano: Horizons," was canceled. Galliano later issued a statement regarding the cancelation: "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. 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 for it."
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Lauren Sánchez Reportedly 'Chased' for Her 'Money' at Met Gala After Report Anna Wintour Saw Jeff Bezos as the 'Bankroll'

#jeff #anna

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California would allow Jews to voluntarily identify their Jewish heritage on state forms under a bill the state Legislature passed Monday.
The bill, which lawmakers sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, would require state agencies that collect demographic information to add "Jewish" as an option for ethnicity or ancestry. The goal is to give state officials and researchers better data on Jewish Californians, including their unemployment rates and representation in schools.
The data would enable lawmakers to create policies that address the needs of Jews in the state, said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, an advocacy group.
"It's about inclusion as a community," Bocarsly said, noting the Legislature has passed laws in recent years to collect more inclusive demographic data on Middle Eastern, North African and LGBTQ+ communities.
Some opponents of the bill are worried about the idea of the state collecting such data given the traumatic history of the **** government keeping records of Jews during the Holocaust. The proposal would bar agencies from disclosing "personal identifying information," and bill author Henry Stern, a Democratic state senator who is Jewish, said California already has robust privacy protections that should **** uage those concerns.

#state

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

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, apologized to the state's Jewish Democratic Caucus on Saturday for comments he made after an attack on a synagogue in March, which he tied to Israel's actions in the Middle East.
"My comments may have been misconstrued to justify something I did not mean to justify," El-Sayed told reporters after he addressed the caucus at a party convention in Lansing. "To anyone who feels like my comments might have been hurtful, I'm really sorry. That was not my intention."
El-Sayed's apology was his latest attempt to unify Democrats after a bitter primary where he defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. He's eager to push past a series of controversies involving allegations of antisemitism, including his ****** ociation with controversial commentator Hasan Piker. He faces Republican nominee Mike Rogers in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.
In March, a man attacked Temple Israel synagogue in a Detroit suburb, ramming his car into the building and opening fire on a security guard before dying by suicide. The man, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, had lost four relatives in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon the week prior.
In a video response at the time, El-Sayed condemned the attack and added that "hurt people hurt people," a reference to what happened to Ghazali's family. Critics accused El-Sayed of justifying Ghazali's actions.

#sayed #synagogue

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

Puka Nacua, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and a star for the Los Angeles Rams, has had a tumultuous offseason, including allegations that he bit a woman and two instances of alleged antisemitism.
It seems he's working to rectify his issues though, first by entering rehab and now by building a relationship with the Jewish community in LA.
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Michael Duarte of the California Post reported that Nacua was spotted at a Bat Mitzvah on Aug. 23, and footage from the event captured a smiling Nacua dancing and clapping with the music.
"The Rams star wide receiver was reportedly invited by the parents of the girl celebrating her Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish milestone traditionally marking a girl's entrance into religious adulthood at age 12," Duarte wrote. "In the videos, Nacua helps carry the guest of honor toward the stage before later being spotted dancing among the crowd."

#angeles

An Israeli court has acquitted a Jewish man who attacked a nun in Jerusalem, in an incident caught on CCTV which drew widespread condemnation.
Jerusalem Magistrates Court said Yona Schreiber was experiencing a psychotic episode when he pushed over and kicked the French nun in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem in April. It ruled that he was not criminally responsible for his actions and ordered him to be sent to a psychiatric hospital for up to six years.
Video of the attack caused outrage, and deepened concerns after a rise in harassment of Christian clergy and pilgrims by Jewish extremists in the Old City.
The victim, who hit her head on a stone block, suffered a bruised face and leg.
Schreiber, 36, had been charged with **** ault motivated by hostility towards a religious group.

#magistrates #yona

Prominent Democrats are lining up to condemn far-left streamer Hasan Piker after he warned that American Jews could face violence if they continue to be seen as strongly supporting Israel.
The backlash follows a stream last week in which Piker displayed an image of Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss, who is Jewish and the Democratic nominee in Michigan's 11th Congressional District.
Moss has said a fake audio clip is being circulated that falsely portrays him as saying he ran for Congress solely to ensure continued U.S. support for Israel.
"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," Piker said.
Piker Demands Democrats Defend Him From Attacks, Claims He's No 'Toxic Radical Force'

#piker #jews #state

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."
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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."
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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

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 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

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson insisted Thursday that Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico was "achingly close" to Jesus' "brand of Christianity" compared to his conservative opponents.
On his "Soul Boom" podcast, Wilson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein called out what they believed was hypocrisy from Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his supporters repeatedly attacking Talarico despite their "aggressively professed Christianity."
"Whenever I watch these attacks, I think, 'You all would have hated Jesus Christ,'" Klein said. "You would have found him to be the most annoying, weepy, worrying about the wrong people — the outsiders, the outcasts…"
Bill Maher Blasts Democratic Party, Says It Is Fine With Religion 'As Long As That Faith Isn't Jewish'
Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico has been criticized for pushing progressive politics under a Christian banner.

#candidate

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."
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#Israel #paramount