Susan Sarandon lauds Spanish government for its stance against Israel over Gaza war

Veteran Hollywood star Susan Sarandon praises the Spanish government’s support for Gaza, saying it was “on the right side of history.”

“I think Spain is doing an incredible job,” Sarandon, her voice trembling with emotion, tells reporters in Barcelona.

Sarandon, who has been a vociferous critic of Israel since the Hamas 2023 attack that sparked the Gaza war and downplayed the subsequent spike in antisemitism, lauds Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and actors such as Oscar-winner Javier Bardem for taking a strong public stand in support of the Palestinians.

“When you turn on the TV and see how strong Spain is and how clear you are morally on these issues, it makes you feel less alone,” Sarandon says.

The star of “Thelma and Louise” calls Spain’s position “so important” in the United States, which she claims is “a place where you feel repression and censorship.”

Spain’s Sanchez has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel over the Gaza war, becoming the most senior European leader to refer to the conflict as a “genocide,” a charge that Jerusalem has rejected.

His leftist government broke with European allies in 2024 by recognizing a Palestinian state, infuriating Israel.

“Whenever I have seen him, he has been on the right side of history and also said it in a very clear way,” Sarandon says of Sanchez, describing him as “handsome and tall.”

Sanchez thanks Sarandon, writing on X that “it is so moving for me that someone the whole of Spain has admired and respected for years has made such a wonderful public statement about our country.”

Sarandon is in Barcelona to receive a lifetime achievement honor at Spain’s top film awards, the Goyas.