Emmys 2025: Javier Bardem Call for an End to the Genocide in Gaza

At the 2025 Emmy Awards, Spanish actor Javier Bardem used his red carpet appearance to deliver a powerful and unambiguous message: Israel must stop the genocide in Gaza.

Wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh, Bardem invoked the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), which he said “thoroughly” examined the situation and declared what is happening in Gaza to be genocide. 

Bardem called not just for words but for action. He urged for a diplomatic and commercial blockade and sanctions against Israel as tools to halt what he characterised as ongoing atrocities. “Free Palestine,” he added, positioning his stance alongside humanitarian and artistic communities opposing the violence. 

He also made distinctions in his critique: rather than targeting individuals, Bardem focused his criticism on institutions and companies he believes are complicit in “whitewashing or justifying” the violence in Gaza.

He spoke in support of the group Film Workers for Palestine, which calls out organizations tied to what many regard as war crimes or severe human-lefts abuses. 

Bardem also emphasized that he "will never work with some company now [who] are not condemning the genocide in Gaza.”

By using the Emmy platform—a globally watched entertainment event—Bardem chose visibility over reticence. His remarks reflect a continuing trend of artists and public figures leveraging cultural moments to call for justice and recognize suffering. For many, his words embody the belief that public voices carry weight in shaping policy, conscience, and international response.

Whether the industry will respond to calls for accountability remains uncertain, but Bardem’s statements have been widely noted. Social media, news outlets, and activists alike amplified his message, underscoring the intersection between culture, celebrity, and human rights in times of conflict.

In spotlighting Gaza, Bardem’s appearance at the Emmys 2025 demonstrates that alongside awards and celebration, there is increasing expectation for public figures to address moral crises—and resume their roles not only as entertainers but as witnesses to injustice.