Javier Bardem, a long-time vocal advocate for Palestinian human rights, took to the Oscars stage ahead of the International Film presentation to declare: “No to war and Free Palestine.” The F1 star was seen wearing a pin with the word “Palestine” on it and a placard that read: “No a la Guerra” (No to the war).
Bardem has been a committed crusader against injustices in Palestine for years, often redirecting red carpet interviews and press appearances to condemn Israel's mass killings in the region. Most recently, in February, he was among over 81 current and former Berlinale participants who shared an open letter calling on the German festival to condemn Israel.
The letter noted that the signatories were "dismayed at the Berlinale's involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel's ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the German state's key role in enabling it." A month prior, the No Country for Old Men actor defended Film Workers For Palestine and its pledge to boycott Israeli film companies "implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people."
The pledge commits signatories not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with institutions—such as festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, and production companies—that are complicit in "whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them." Defending the organization against backlash, he said, "One thing that we make sure everyone understands is that we are not going against people for their nationalities or their religious or ethnic origins. We're going after companies and entities that are supporting this genocide and ongoing apartheid and illegal occupation."
Bardem, a vocal critic of Benjamin Netanyahu, has spoken out about film festivals' silence about Gaza at San Sebastian and Cannes. Alongside fellow activist and actor Mark Ruffalo, he boarded Cherien Dabis' Jordanian Oscar Entry All That’s Left Of You as an executive producer; the film is a sweeping multi-generational drama following a Palestinian family over the arc of decades.
