Ethan Hawke receives swift backlash after avoiding comment on Palestine at Berlin festival

Many are accusing Hawke of sidestepping genocide questions amid calls for artists to take a stand

Ethan Hawke is facing rapid backlash after a press conference at the Berlin International Film Festival where he appeared to avoid directly responding to questions about the conflict in Gaza and broader political issues, prompting criticism from social media users and cultural commentators.

While promoting his new historical drama The Weight at the Berlinale, Hawke was asked whether actors should speak out on pressing political matters, including recent calls from artists urging the festival to take a clear stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Rather than affirm a position on the issue, Hawke quipped, “The last place you probably want to look for advice in your spiritual counsel is a bunch of jet-lagged, drunk artists talking about their films,” before shifting the focus to the power of cinema to foster empathy.

Although he later said he supports “anything that fights fascism” and insisted that “everybody has a voice,” some viewers felt his remarks lacked direct engagement with the specific humanitarian concerns surrounding the war in Gaza and accusations of genocide leveled by dozens of artists against the festival’s silence.

Hawke’s comments came amid wider controversy at the Berlinale, where over 80 alumni signed an open letter urging the festival to condemn Israel’s military actions in Gaza and affirm Palestinians’ right to life.

On social media platform Reddit, users responded sharply to Hawke’s phrasing and perceived refusal to fully engage with the question. One commenter argued that insisting not wanting to see genocide continue “shouldn’t be considered an agenda” and questioned why Hawke hadn’t offered a clearer stance, highlighting a broader frustration that many artists on press tours are “poorly prepared to address major political topics that have been asked about for years.”

Another wrote, “Not taking a position IS taking a position,” reflecting a sentiment shared by many who view silence or vague responses from public figures as insufficient in the face of urgent humanitarian concerns.

Still others criticized Hawke’s focus on dismissing the question as an “agenda,” with one comment noting: “I’m with the journalist on this one. Ethan has had multiple opportunities to take a clear position and hasn’t.”

The controversy surrounding Hawke’s remarks reflects broader tensions at this year’s Berlin festival, where questions about the role of artists in political discourse have reverberated alongside debates over how cultural institutions should respond to global crises. Festival organisers have defended artists’ rights to choose whether or not to comment on politics, underscoring the challenges that come when cultural platforms intersect with geopolitical debates.

The Weight continues its Berlinale run as the festival navigates these heightened political conversations, leaving Hawke’s comments and their reception as part of an ongoing dialogue on celebrity, responsibility and activism.