Mark Ruffalo is doubling down after Paramount accused him of using antisemitic rhetoric while criticizing the Ellison family and the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Ruffalo called the accusation “appalling and fundamentally dishonest,” saying criticism of Israel's prime minister, military technology contracts or the executives behind them should not be confused with hostility toward Jewish people. He says his comments reflect his political beliefs and stressed his respect and affection for Jewish friends, colleagues and loved ones. The actor's original criticism focused on Oracle's technology work involving the Israeli military and his concerns that the proposed $111 billion merger could put CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. under the control of one family. Ruffalo also raised questions about editorial independence and potential job losses. Paramount fired back, saying it was troubled by what it called antisemitic tropes and objected to terms such as “genocide” and “apartheid” being used in connection with a corporate transaction.