Madrid / Gaza — Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem has spoken out forcefully against the Israeli atrocities in Gaza, sharing a stark message on social media that directly accuses Israel and its Western backers of responsibility for the violence.
In a post on his Instagram account, Bardem shared a video showing a man carrying the lifeless body of a child killed in an “Israeli” attack on the Gaza Strip. Accompanying the footage, the actor wrote:
“ISRAEL kills. The USA funds it. EUROPE supports it.”
He followed the caption with a further appeal, urging public action and moral accountability:
“Only we, the decent people, are left to DENOUNCE THIS GENOCIDE!! DON’T STAY SILENT! OR YOU WILL BE COMPLICIT.”
Escalating Public Criticism
The post represents an escalation of Bardem’s already outspoken criticism of Israel’s military campaign, reinforcing positions he has articulated repeatedly over the past year.
During the 2024 San Sebastián Film Festival, Bardem stated that he was “no longer comfortable being silent on Gaza,” marking a turning point in his public engagement on the issue.
Since then, the actor has described the situation as “genocide taking place in front of our eyes in 4K,” and accused the “Israeli” government of committing “crimes against humanity” and “violations of international law.”
Those remarks were made during public appearances at the New York premiere of the F1 movie as well as on ABC’s The View, where Bardem reiterated his belief that global inaction amounts to moral failure.
Cultural Figures Speak Out
Bardem’s statements place him among a growing number of cultural figures using high-profile platforms to criticize Israel’s conduct in Gaza and to pressure Western governments over their continued political and military support.
While his comments have drawn praise from pro-Palestinian activists, they have also sparked backlash from pro-Israel groups, highlighting the deep polarization surrounding public discourse on Gaza within the entertainment industry.
Bardem has not responded publicly to criticism of his remarks and has continued to frame his position as a moral imperative rather than a political calculation.