Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Calls Out Mark Ruffalo For “Antisemitism” & “Demonization” Just hours after Mark Ruffalo responded to Paramount‘s accusations of antisemitism, the CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a statement to Deadline on the subject. “Words matter, and so does the willingness to draw a line when legitimate debate gives way to antisemitic tropes,” wrote Jim Berk. “We commend Paramount for speaking clearly and refusing to allow prejudice to masquerade as political or corporate criticism. At a time when antisemitism is too often minimized, rationalized or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters.” The corporate criticism to which Berk refers is Ruffalo’s initial assertion about Paramount and the finacial support it receives from CEO David Ellison’s father. Wiesenthal CEO Berk said Ruffalo was conflating two issues. “Invoking Israel in an issue where it is completely irrelevant is a textbook case of obsession and demonization. Paramount was right to call it out.” You can read Berk’s full statement below. “Words matter, and so does the willingness to draw a line when legitimate debate gives way to antisemitic tropes.
 
We commend Paramount for speaking clearly and refusing to allow prejudice to masquerade as political or corporate criticism. At a time when antisemitism is too often minimized, rationalized or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters.
 
Invoking Israel in an issue where it is completely irrelevant is a textbook case of obsession and demonization. Paramount was right to call it out.
 
More leaders and institutions should have the courage to call antisemitism what it is, regardless of who is spreading it.”
 
— Jim Berk, CEO, Simon Wiesenthal Center Deadline has reached out to Ruffalo for comment and this post will be updated when one is received. deadline.com/2026/08/mark-ru…