Hollywood figures rally behind Mark Ruffano amid criticism of his recent posts

George Clooney told reporters at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday that he supports Mark Ruffano’s “ability to speak freely” and described the criticism of the actor as “ridiculous.”

Clooney added, “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.”

The open letter backing Ruffano, initially signed by about 180 Jewish artists, writers and entertainers, has since attracted roughly ten additional signatories, including Joaquin Phoenix and director Jonathan Glazer.

Ruffano’s posts, which likened tech billionaire Larry Ellison to a fictional oppressor of Gaza, prompted rebuke from groups such as the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League, which called the remarks “cynical and sickening.”

Norm Eisen, co-founder of the States United Democracy Center, has been advising Ruffano on how to express regret for offending Jewish communities while maintaining his opposition to the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and Israel’s military actions in Gaza. After the ADL chief declined to intervene, Eisen helped coordinate the open-letter campaign.

The controversy is expected to continue as Ruffano appears at the Toronto Film Festival beginning Sept. 10, where he will promote the Apple-produced film “Being Heumann,” a potential Oscar contender.