Spanish actor Javier Bardem, Emmy nominee for best supporting actor for his role in the anthology Monsters: the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, became one of the most forceful voices on the red carpet of the 2025 Emmy Awards as he denounced what he called “Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”
“We have to denounce what is urgent, Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The International Schoolchildren’s Association has declared what is happening in Gaza a genocide and that is why we have to call for a commercial and diplomatic blockade with Israel,” the Spanish actor told EFE as he walked the red carpet.
Javier Bardem denounces genocide in Gaza
Javier Bardem is “hopeful” the war in Gaza will end: “There have been so many deaths and children being murdered that the world is waking up.” #Emmys pic.twitter.com/kVTxeWmO6G
– Variety (@Variety) September 14, 2025
The Oscar-winning actor, who has a long career in Hollywood, arrived at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles wearing a Palestinian kufiya around his neck, a traditional Arab garment that has become a symbol of resistance and support for the Palestinian people.
With this visual gesture, Bardem sought to make visible the humanitarian situation in Gaza in an event that attracts the attention of millions of viewers globally.
“Sanctions must be called that must be given to the genocidal state of Israel, not only for the ongoing genocide, but also for the state of apartheid that causes so much heartbreak,” the actor added.
The role of the film industry
Bardem also made reference to Film Workers for Palestine, a group of film professionals that has gained more and more members in recent months.
The collective seeks to denounce companies and cultural institutions that have been accused of cleaning up Israel’s image or justifying its actions in the Middle East.
The actor pointed out that it is necessary for those working in the audiovisual world to take advantage of their platform to demand change:
“Those are the things that we wanted to see, that we are doing and that on a day like today it is important to bring it here to the debate.”
A humanitarian crisis in Gaza
#Emmys nominee Javier Bardem voices his support to end the genocide in Gaza and talks about the growing movement of Film Workers for Palestine. pic.twitter.com/baBVco4g5I
– The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 14, 2025
Bardem stressed that the situation in Gaza requires urgent and constant attention:
“There are thousands, tens of thousands of children starving to death and they call it self-defense. Now the world finally knows what’s going on.”
According to international organizations, the conflict has left more than 60,000 people dead in the Gaza Strip as of September 2025.
In addition to thousands of missing persons who remain under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The UN and several NGOs have warned that the food and health crisis has reached catastrophic levels.
A message that resonates with the Hispanic community in the U.S.
Buzzy
Bardem’s words add to a series of pronouncements by artists and public figures who have used international stages to put the spotlight on Gaza.
For the Latino community in the United States, especially those with migration experience, the discourse resonated in a particular way, linking to historical struggles for human rights and social justice.
The fact that a renowned actor uses the Emmy platform to talk about international politics highlights the intersection between culture, entertainment and social engagement, reminding us that the red carpet can also be a space for protest.
With this intervention, Javier Bardem not only sought to celebrate his nomination, but also to use the visibility of the Emmys 2025 to denounce a crisis that, according to him, cannot remain silent.
Hay que denunciar lo urgente, el genocidio de Israel en Gaza
Javier Bardem
