MADRID, May 20, 2026 (WAFA) – Spanish Culture Minister Ernesto Urtasun announced the Spanish government supports actor Javier Bardem and other artists who have faced censorship and attacks due to their support for Palestine and their condemnation of the genocide being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.

He made these remarks to reporters following the weekly meeting of the Spanish government in Madrid.

Urtasun referred to reports that Bardem had been placed on what has been described as a "Hollywood blacklist" because of his public stance against the war in Gaza, along with other artists including Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo.

He emphasized that the government fully supports and stands in solidarity with Bardem and actor Sergi López, who have been subjected to censorship and attacks for freely expressing their opinions as citizens, particularly their condemnation of the events in Palestine.

Bardem had stated during his participation in the Cannes Film Festival on May 17 that "those who create so-called blacklists must be exposed," referring to the escalating controversy surrounding the stances of pro-Palestinian figures within artistic circles.

Lopez also joined a letter of protest signed by a number of French artists, expressing their objection to the support some media and cultural institutions provide to Israel.

Y.S