Javier Bardem has clarified his support for Film Workers for Palestine, saying the group holds “companies and institutions” to account rather than “individuals”.
The Oscar-winning actor recently signed a pledge by the group alongside a number of other notable stars, including Olivia Colman, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton and Ayo Edebiri, vowing not to work with Israeli institutions amid the conflict in Gaza.
Bardem has now spoken of his support, telling CNN: “I want this to be very clear. We do not discriminate against any person based on their nationality, race, religion, or gender. We of course believe discrimination of any kind is wrong and do not support that and have continued to reiterate this.
“We support holding companies and institutions all over the world accountable, not individuals, for their complicity and participation in the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the illegal settlement of the West Bank.”
His latest statement echoes comments he made at the Emmys last month, Bardem saying at the time that Film Workers for Palestine “do not target any individuals based on identity”.
“The targets are those film companies and institutions that are complicit and are white-washing or justifying the genocide and its apartheid regime. We do stand with those who are helping and being supportive of the oppressed people.”
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He added: “I cannot work with somebody who justifies or supports the genocide. I can’t. It’s as simple as that. We shouldn’t be able to do that in this industry or any other industry.”
Bardem’s latest comments come after studios including Netflix, Disney and Amazon were sent a letter by UK Lawyers for Israel this month saying that the boycott breaches the UK Equality Act.
“If the U.K. television and film industry colludes with acts contrary to this legislation, organizations are themselves likely to be in breach,” they said (via Variety). “It also creates a dangerous precedent: one that condones the exclusion of individuals and/or organizations based solely on their nationality, ethnicity, and/or religion.”
A ceasefire came into force earlier this month, with all 20 living Israeli hostages released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners that had been held in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, the Eurovision Song Contest has postponed a vote on whether to allow Israel to participate in next year’s edition, with the subject set to be discussed at an in-person meeting in December. The EBU had previously said it would invite 68 member countries to give their views on Israel taking part in a November meeting. Countries including Spain, Ireland, The Netherlands and Slovenia have pledged to boycott Eurovision is Israel is allowed to participate.
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