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During the Oscars telecast on Sunday evening, actor Javier Bardem made a bold statement by declaring “Free Palestine” as he took the stage to present an award. This moment was in line with his longstanding advocacy, which intensified after Israel’s military action in Gaza following the October 7 attack.
As Bardem introduced the Best International Feature, he seized the opportunity for an impromptu plea, urging for an end to conflict and the liberation of Palestine. This unscripted declaration highlighted his commitment to the cause.
Bardem’s support for Palestine has been evident, especially after the recent events in Gaza. A year prior, he publicly stated his refusal to collaborate with companies that support Israel amidst the ongoing conflict. His stance was clear and unwavering.
In a 2025 interview with Variety at the Emmy Awards, Bardem was asked about his business ethics concerning ties with Israel. He responded firmly, “I won’t work,” emphasizing his moral opposition to any entity backing what he describes as genocide. He believes that such principles should be upheld in all industries, not just entertainment.
“I won’t work,” Bardem emphatically stated. “I cannot with somebody that justifies or supports the genocide. I can’t. It’s as simple as that. We should not be able to that, in this industry or any industry.”
Prior to that, Bardem joined “more than a thousand Hollywood celebrities and international film industry insiders” in pledging to “boycott the Israeli film industry” due to the war in Gaza.
“The large number of members of the film industry from Europe, the UK, and the U.S.A. signed onto a pledge by a group calling itself Film Workers for Palestine (FWFP),” Breitbart News reported.
As Breitbart News reported earlier this month, Spanish actor Aldo Comas criticized celebrities for wearing “Free Palestine” pins while having no opinion about other regimes like Iran.
The actor expressed his views when speaking with reporters ahead of the Goaya Awards.
“I haven’t heard anyone talk about the 50,000 people who died in the last two months in Iran. No one talks about it. I see lots of pins about everything else, but not about that. I don’t know. Maybe we should also be ending theocratic that murder their own people. I don’t know,” he said.
When pressed on whether a film awards ceremony is the “best place” for such statements, Comas said that artists should stay in their lane.
“War is never cool. But who are we? We’re jesters, singers, painters, and actors. Let others have the opinions,” he said.