Javier Bardem speaks out in support of Film Workers for Palestine.
“Regarding the commitment of the 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. We of course believe that any form of discrimination is wrong and we do NOT support this and have continued to reiterate this. We support that companies and institutions around the world be held accountable, and NOT individuals, for their complicity and participation in the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the colonization illegal from the West Bank.”
Earlier in September, more than 3,900 industry executives signed a pledge against any collaboration with Israeli institutions and film companies “involved in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” The signing list includes filmmakers and actors like 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 Garcia 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, Britain’s lawyers for Israel sent a warning letter to Netflix, Disney, Amazon Studios, Apple and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others, stating that the boycott violates UK equality law and could impact funding and insurance.
“[The Equality Act 2010] is key legislation in the UK that protects against racism and discriminatory treatment,” said the letter, which was seen by Variety. “If the UK television and film industry associates itself with acts contrary to this legislation, the organizations themselves risk breaking the law. It also sets a dangerous precedent: one that tolerates the exclusion of individuals and/or organizations based solely on their nationality, ethnicity and/or religion.”
Friday, Variety Warner Bros.’ own statement exclusively reported. against the boycott. The studio said it is “committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for our employees, collaborators and other stakeholders,” and that participating in the movement would most likely violate its internal policies.
“Our policies prohibit any form of discrimination, 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 respecting the rights of individuals and groups to express their opinions 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 vocal voices against the conflict between Israel and Palestine. 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’m talking about IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, which studies the genocide in depth and has declared it a genocide. That is why we are calling for a trade and diplomatic blockade and sanctions against Israel to end the genocide. Liberate Palestine.”
