Javier Bardem has expressed support for Palestinian film workers.
“I would like to make this clear regarding the Palestinian Film Workers’ Pledge,” he said in a statement to CNN. “We do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of 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 do so. We support holding businesses and institutions around the world, not individuals, accountable for their complicity and participation in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and illegal settlements in the West Bank.”
In early September, more than 3,900 industry leaders signed a pledge not to work with Israeli film institutions or companies “associated with genocide or apartheid against the Palestinian people.” The list of signatories includes directors 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, Amy Lou Wood, Papa Essiedu, Gael García Bernal, Riz Ahmed and Joaquín. Phoenix, Nicola Colan, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson, Bowen Yang, Rooney Mara, Guy Pearce, Jonathan Glazer, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Fisher Stevens, Abbi Jacobson, Eric Andre, Elliot Page.
In October, Britain’s Israel lawyer sent a warning letter to Netflix, Disney, Amazon Studios, Apple, Warner Bros. Discovery and others, saying the boycott breached the UK’s Equality Act and could affect loans and insurance.
“The Equality Act 2010 is an important piece of legislation in the UK that protects against racial discrimination and discriminatory treatment,” the letter, obtained by Variety, said. “If the UK television and film industries collude in behavior that violates this law, they are likely to be in breach themselves. It also sets a dangerous precedent of condoning the exclusion of individuals and organizations solely on the basis of their nationality, ethnicity or religion.”
On Friday, Variety exclusively reported Warner Bros.’ own statement on the boycott. The studio said it was “committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for our employees, collaborators, and other stakeholders,” and that participating in the movement would likely violate company policies.
“Our policies prohibit discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, or ancestry,” the studio said in a statement. “We believe that the boycott of Israeli film production institutions violates our policies. While we respect the right of individuals and organizations to express their opinions and advocate for a cause, 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 on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the weeks following the release of Film Workers for Palestine Pledge, he further explained his choice to join the cause to Variety on the 2025 Emmy red carpet.
“I am here today to condemn the genocide in Gaza,” he said. “I’m talking about the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the IAGS, which has studied the genocide thoroughly and declared it a genocide. That’s why we are calling for a commercial and diplomatic blockade and sanctions against Israel to stop the genocide. Free Palestine.”
