Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem appeared on The View to promote his new film F1, co-starring Brad Pitt, but quickly shifted focus to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking directly to the hosts and audience, Bardem described the situation as “genocide” and called for the release of Israeli hostages.
His comments came as the hosts wore pins supporting Israeli civilians held by Hamas. Bardem acknowledged the need for hostages to be freed but expanded the conversation to criticise the conditions in Gaza, citing starvation, blocked humanitarian aid, and civilian casualties.
“Experts on international law, Amnesty International, Holocaust survivors are calling it genocide,” Bardem said. “If you ask me, I believe it's a genocide.”
The actor expressed frustration with global political inaction, particularly the continued military and financial support of Israel by the United States and the silence from European governments. “If we really don't do something about that, we are going towards absolute impunity,” he added.
Bardem ended his remarks by urging viewers not to lose their humanity: “The most important thing is to not lose the humanity and really denounce when we have to denounce and who we have to denounce.”
His unplanned commentary stood out in a media environment where other artists and students have faced consequences for similar statements. Actress Melissa Barrera and several international students have recently experienced professional or legal repercussions for voicing their views on the conflict..
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