Javier Bardem on Israel's attack on Gaza: "I can't work with someone who supports genocide"

During the Emmy Awards ceremony, the "Skyfall" star expressed his opposition to the actions of the Israeli authorities towards the people of the Gaza Strip. In a red carpet interview, the Hollywood actor emphasized that if he learned that the company he was about to work with had business ties to Israel, he would immediately terminate the relationship. "I cannot work with someone who supports or justifies genocide," the Oscar winner stated.

This year's Emmy Awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles overnight from Sunday to Monday. The "television Oscars" gala was overshadowed by political statements made by many of the invited celebrities from the world of show business. These statements addressed the current situation in the Gaza Strip, which is under complete siege by Israeli forces, who have cut off residents' access to electricity, water, and fuel.

- What is happening here is an outrage against decency, humanity and the law - this is how Jonathan Whittall, acting director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, described the local reality.

"Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder, accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, ended her speech with a few vulgar words directed at the US Immigration and Customs Service, then added: "Free Palestine."

"As a Jew, I have a duty to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel, because our religion and culture are important and long-standing institutions that are completely separate from this type of ethno-nationalist state," she explained her position during a press conference organized after the ceremony.

Javier Bardem also expressed his opposition to Israel's actions . The Oscar winner posed for photographers wearing a keffiyeh—a headscarf symbolizing Palestinian culture, tradition, and heritage. In a red carpet interview, the Hollywood actor was asked what he would do if he learned that the company he was considering working with had business ties to Israel.

The "Skyfall" star replied that he would break off the relationship immediately.

"I cannot work with anyone who supports or justifies genocide. No one should—in this industry or any other. IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, has declared that what is happening there is genocide. That is why we are calling for a trade and diplomatic blockade, as well as sanctions against Israel. Free Palestine!" Bardem told Variety.

Last week, nearly four thousand filmmakers signed an open pledge on this matter, authored by the organization Film Workers for Palestine. In it, the signatories declared that they would not cooperate with Israeli institutions and studios that are "involved in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people." Examples of such complicity include "whitewashing or justifying genocide and collaborating with a government that commits it."

The commitment was signed by, among others: Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivia Colman, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Ayo Edebiri, Josh O'Connor, Cynthia Nixon, Rebecca Hall, Aimee Lou Wood and Javier Bardem.