Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem voices the ‘No to War, Free Palestine’ message while presenting the Best International Feature award at the 2026 Academy Awards

Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem delivered a political message during the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday(March 15), briefly speaking out against war and expressing support for Palestinians while presenting the Best International Feature Film category.

Bardem appeared on stage alongside actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas to introduce the nominees for the category. Before announcing the winner, the actor addressed the audience with a short statement, saying: “No to war. And free Palestine.”

He wore a large red badge reading “No a la guerra,” Spanish for “No to war,” along with a pin referencing Palestine.


The statement comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas Attack on Israel has caused a major humanitarian crisis and sparked global protests.

At the same time, a broader regional conflict has intensified after the Iran War began when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February 2026, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region. The widening conflict has raised fears of a larger Middle East war and deepened international calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic solutions.

https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/2033363849114448038?s=20

Who is Javier Bardem?

Javier Bardem is a Spanish actor widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed performers in international cinema. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men (2007), becoming the first Spanish actor to win an Oscar. Bardem has also starred in major films such as Skyfall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Dune, earning multiple Academy Award nominations.

The award was ultimately won by Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. Bardem’s statement drew a largely positive reaction from sections of the audience inside the theatre, including cheers and applause.

Speaking on the red carpet, Bardem said, “We are here to celebrate movies, and it’s a great moment, but also there’s a great opportunity to say things like no to war, no to this illegal war that is creating so many deaths,” he said. He added, “This is the same badge that I used in 2003, 23 years ago, in the illegal Iraq war.”

Bardem has previously spoken out on the Israel–Palestine conflict and has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

At earlier public events, he has worn a keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestinians. The actor is also among more than 1,300 artists who have pledged not to collaborate with Israeli film institutions linked to the conflict.