Javier Bardem insisted on his pro-Palestine stance Javier Bardem: “‘Genocide’ is not a personal opinion — it’s a designation adopted by human rights organizations”

Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem sparked a wave of controversy on social media after the American talk show "The View" abruptly cut to a commercial break while he was denouncing what he described as “genocide” committed by Israel in Gaza. The sudden interruption left audiences stunned.

Despite the cut-off, the "F1" movie star stood firm in his stance, reiterating his position later that evening at the film’s New York premiere. Bardem appeared wearing a pin that read “Palestine,” declaring: “Thousands of children are dying before our eyes in 4K resolution.”

"The View" cuts the mic… and the debate explodes

During his appearance on the popular daytime show, Bardem spoke emotionally about the daily scenes from Gaza, expressing the deep pain he feels watching “children being killed and starved to death,” accusing Tel Aviv of imposing a complete blockade preventing the entry of water, medicine, and humanitarian aid.

“I can’t describe the amount of pain I and many others around the world feel every day,” Bardem said, emphasizing that the term “genocide” wasn’t a personal opinion, but a label used by international human rights organizations and even Holocaust survivors.

As Bardem continued, the show gradually raised the volume of its theme music, cutting his voice and leading to accusations that the program was trying to silence pro-Palestinian voices. A source from within the show claimed the break was due to the segment’s scheduled end time.

A message from the red carpet

Later that night, at the New York premiere of his new film "F1", Bardem reiterated his message. In an interview with Variety, he stated:

"It’s a genocide happening before our eyes in 4K. Thousands of children are dying. U.S. funding for the bombs killing them must stop."

He also delivered a strong message to European countries:

"Enough talk. We want action. Diplomatic relations with Israel must be severed if those nations truly care about human values."

Bardem’s bold statements stirred wide reactions—some praised his courage in speaking up for Palestine, while others criticized “The View” for what they saw as a clear attempt to suppress pro-Palestinian discourse on American media platforms.