Javier Bardem on Gaza: ‘We cannot remain indifferent while Israel commits war crimes’

The famous Spanish actor and Oscar winner Javier Bardem spoke about the Israeli genocidal war against the Gaza Strip when accepting an award at the San Sebastian Film Festival last week, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas and for occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be put on trial.

In his acceptance speech, Bardem expressed: “I receive it with deep gratitude and great joy, but I don’t have a celebratory spirit. It is impossible for me, with the world as it is, to celebrate anything.”

“I believe the Israeli government is the most radical government in Israel’s history, and that its committing crimes against humanity, that its committing crimes under international law, investigated by the International Criminal Court, and that obviously, the atrocious, terrible, and condemnable brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7 do not justify the total punishment the massive punishment that the Palestinian population is enduring,” he continued.

He stressed the need: “For different mediators to come into play because the Netanyahu government and the leaders of Hamas will never reach an agreement.”

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Bardem criticised Israel’s allies, exclaiming: “I believe countries like the US, Germany, the UK, especially, need to rethink their logic of behaviour and unconditional support when we are witnessing crimes against human rights, crimes under international law. We cannot remain indifferent to that.”

“We are all a society, we are all one world, and we are all victims of what’s happening, perhaps at a secondary or tertiary level, but victims nonetheless,” he said, noting: “I think society is beginning to understand that the legitimate right to criticise any government or state has nothing to do with, in this case, the false accusation of antisemitism, or, in the case of criticising Hamas, being accused of Islamophobia.”

On the sidelines of the festival, Bardem said: “I believe that we can and must help bring peace. If we take a different approach, then we will get different results. The security and prosperity of Israel and the health and future of a free Palestine will only be possible through a culture of peace, coexistence and respect,” Bardem told AP.

“To continue to stall negotiations and return to the previous status quo, as they say, or as we are seeing now, embark on a race to further violations of international law would be to perpetuate the war and eventually lead us off a cliff,” Bardem noted, adding: “That while antisemitism and Islamophobia are real and serious problems in the US, Europe and beyond, that the terms are being used to divert attention away from the legitimate right to criticise the actions of the Israeli government and of Hamas.”

“We’re witnessing crimes against human rights, crimes under international law, such as, for example, the banning of food, water, medicines, electricity, using, as UNICEF says, war against children and the trauma that’s being created for generations.”

“My mother educated me on the importance of treating all human beings equally, regardless of skin colour, ethnicity, religion, nationality, socio and economic status, ability or sexuality. Actions inform us and that alone interests me about people. That’s why I have always been concerned about discrimination of any kind. That includes antisemitism and Islamophobia,” voiced Bardem.

Famous actor Mark Ruffalo praised Bardem’s comments, posting on X: “Thank you Javier Bardem for your decency, your courage, and love for all human beings. You are a beacon of light, amigo.”