New york: Spanish actor Javier Bardem has made a powerful statement regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza and the West Bank, calling the actions in Gaza 'genocide' and labeling the policies in the occupied West Bank as 'ethnic cleansing and apartheid.' Bardem's remarks were made in a message commemorating the anniversary of the 1948 mass displacement of Palestinians, known as the Nakba.
According to Anadolu Agency, Bardem's recorded message was shared on the US social media platform X by the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations. This took place during a screening for UN representatives of the Palestinian-themed film "All That's Left Of You." Bardem emphasized the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people against what he termed as Israel's policies of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Bardem expressed that the Palestinian experience extends beyond historical events, stating, "We understand that the Nakba never ended. It is playing out today in Gaza as genocide and in the West Bank as ethnic cleansing and apartheid." He lauded the Palestinians' enduring determination to maintain their cultural identity and their aspiration to return to their homeland, highlighting their resilience, courage, and steadfastness.
The film "All That's Left Of You," which was screened at the event, delves into the trauma and search for hope within a Palestinian family across three generations since the 1948 Nakba. It has been chosen by Jordan as its submission for the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
The Nakba, which Palestinians commemorate on May 15, followed Israel's declaration of independence on May 14, 1948. This period saw the forced displacement of Palestinians, with nearly 1 million expelled, 675 towns and villages destroyed, and over 70 massacres leading to the deaths of more than 15,000 Palestinians.
Currently, Israel is accused by Palestinians and rights groups of continuing genocidal actions in Gaza, accompanied by intensified raids, violence, and repression in the occupied West Bank.