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Javier Bardem Advocates for Peace at Oscars

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Javier Bardem (actor) spoke at the 98th Academy Awards and declared, "No to war and free Palestine," presenting the International Feature Film Oscar.
He wore a "No a la Guerra" patch, a symbol from the Iraq war, to emphasize his stance.
Bardem highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, noting 600 deaths since the ceasefire.
David Borenstein (director) addressed political complicity in his speech, urging awareness of moral choices.

History

Historical Context

In 2003, global protests against the Iraq War mobilized millions, with significant demonstrations in cities like New York and London. On February 15 alone, an estimated six to ten million people participated worldwide, marking it as one of the largest anti-war movements in history. These protests highlighted widespread opposition to military intervention, a sentiment echoed by activists like Susan Sarandon and Javier Bardem today.

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Story summary

Javier Bardem (actor) spoke at the 98th Academy Awards and declared, "No to war and free Palestine," presenting the International Feature Film Oscar.
He wore a "No a la Guerra" patch, a symbol from the Iraq war, to emphasize his stance.
Bardem highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, noting 600 deaths since the ceasefire.
David Borenstein (director) addressed political complicity in his speech, urging awareness of moral choices.

1 / 2