Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem has attributed a growing global shift in public opinion toward Palestine to what he described as Israel’s “genocide” in the Gaza Strip. In a recent interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan on the Zeteo platform, Bardem stated that the violence against Palestinians amounts to war crimes and emphasized that the situation is clear to anyone with “the minimum amount of common sense.”

Bardem expressed surprise but approval at the increased international support for Palestine, notably in the United States, where recent polls indicate rising sympathy for Palestinians among broader segments of the population, including those traditionally less engaged in political matters. He said the widespread outrage is a natural reaction to the “horrific” acts committed against civilians in Gaza over the years.

During the conversation, Bardem also criticized Argentine President Javier Milei for his public endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right members of Netanyahu’s government. Bardem argued that it is misleading to portray Argentina as being uniformly represented by Milei’s positions, noting that many Argentinians oppose the president’s policies, just as many Americans do not support former President Donald Trump.

The interview took place shortly after the FIFA World Cup final on December 18, when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the tournament for the first time in 16 years. Bardem and Hasan discussed the match itself, the political undertones some observers saw in the game, and incidents such as Donald Trump’s awkward moment during the trophy presentation. Bardem noted that intertwining political stances with the sporting event imposed “an extra burden” on the final that he felt was unwarranted.

Additionally, Bardem touched on Spain’s government position regarding Iran, describing it as anti-war. The interview provided a broader context for discussing international conflicts, public opinion shifts, and the intersection of politics and sports.