Javier Bardem speaks out in support of Film Workers for Palestine.
“With regard to the commitment of Film Workers for Palestine, I want to make it very clear,” he said in a statement to CNN. «We do not discriminate against any person based on their nationality, race, religion or gender. Of course, we believe that discrimination of any kind is wrong and we do NOT support it and have continued to reiterate this. We support holding companies and institutions around the world, NOT individuals, accountable for their complicity and participation in the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the illegal settlement in the West Bank.»
In early September, more than 3,900 industry leaders signed a pledge against working with Israeli film institutions and companies that are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” The list of signings includes filmmakers and actors such as Bardem, Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Adam McKay, Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Lily Gladstone, Mark Ruffalo, Hannah Einbinder, Peter Sarsgaard, Aimee Lou Wood, Paapa Essiedu, Gael García Bernal, Riz Ahmed, Joaquin Phoenix, Nicola Coughlan, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson, Bowen Yang, Rooney Mara, Guy Pearce, Jonathan Glazer, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Fisher Stevens, Abbi Jacobson, Eric Andre and Elliot Page.
In October, UK Lawyers for Israel sent a warning letter to Netflix, Disney, Amazon Studios, Apple and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others, stating that the boycott violates the UK Equality Act and may affect funding and insurance.
«(The Equality Act 2010) is the key legislation in the UK that protects against racism and discriminatory treatment,» states the letter, which has been seen by Variety. «If the UK film and television industry colludes in acts contrary to this legislation, organizations themselves are likely to breach it. It also creates a dangerous precedent – one that condones the exclusion of people and/or organizations based solely on their nationality, ethnicity and/or religion.»
On Friday, Variety exclusively reported Warner Bros.’s own statement against the boycott. The studio said it is “committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for its employees, collaborators and other stakeholders,” and that participating in the movement would likely violate internal policies.
“Our policies prohibit discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, or ancestry,” the studio said. «We believe that a boycott of Israeli film institutions violates our policies. While we respect the rights of individuals and groups to express their views and advocate for causes, we will continue to align our business practices with the requirements of our policies and the law.»
Bardem is one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices against the Israel-Palestine conflict. In the weeks following the publication of the Film Workers for Palestine pledge, he further explained to Variety on the red carpet of the 2025 Emmys his choice to join the cause.
“Here I am today, denouncing the genocide in Gaza,” he said. «I am referring to the IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, which studies the genocide in depth and has declared that it is a genocide. That is why we call for a trade and diplomatic blockade and also sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide. Free Palestine.»
