Javier Bardem has publicly amplified a petition calling for Pink to lose her position as a UNICEF ambassador following the dispute surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments during Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour. The Spanish actor shared posts promoting the Change.org campaign on his Instagram Stories, encouraging his followers to support the petition. The campaign, launched by a group calling itself “Swifties Against Genocide,” argues that Pink’s response to Macklemore was inconsistent with the humanitarian responsibilities associated with being a UNICEF ambassador. By September 23, reports said the petition had gathered more than 179,000 signatures. The controversy began after Macklemore spoke about Gaza and the occupied West Bank during his September 4 and 5 performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, saying “Free Palestine” before performing Hind’s Hall. Pink subsequently reposted material criticizing his appearance, prompting significant backlash. She later explained that she had not intended to endorse every word of the post and said her objection was not to the phrase “Free Palestine” itself or to anyone’s right to say it. Pink, who has served as a UNICEF ambassador since 2015, said she was speaking as a Jewish mother who felt frightened by aspects of the performance. She also stressed that Palestinians deserved a future that respected their humanity and aspirations.
The wider dispute intensified after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran’s tour. The promoter said venue concerns were involved, while Sheeran later maintained that removing Macklemore was the promoter’s decision rather than his own. Several other support acts subsequently withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga. Bardem has separately been outspoken about the war in Gaza and Palestinian rights, including saying “no to war and free Palestine” while presenting an award at the 2026 Oscars. He has also discussed the importance of public figures expressing their views on the issue. The petition targeting Pink remains a campaign rather than an announced change to her UNICEF role; reports said UNICEF had not announced any decision to remove her. Meanwhile, the disagreement has expanded into a broader debate involving freedom of expression, criticism of Israeli government policy, allegations of antisemitism, and the responsibilities of artists and humanitarian ambassadors. Those positions remain contested among the people and organizations involved.
