Trending 
Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Lawrence has spoken out against Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, describing it as “no less than a genocide” and voicing concern over what she sees as a growing threat to free expression in the United States.
Speaking at a press conference for her new film Die, My Love at the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, Lawrence addressed questions about the conflict despite attempts by a moderator to steer the discussion back to cinema. “I’m terrified. It’s mortifying. What’s happening is no less than a genocide and it’s terrible,” she told reporters.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza has left more than 65,000 people dead and over 160,000 injured since Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 killed 1,200 in Israel. Independent monitors, including Acled, estimate that civilians make up the overwhelming majority of Palestinian casualties.
Lawrence also condemned the “disrespect in the discourse of American politics,” warning that young people could come to see dishonesty as normal behaviour from leaders. Turning to free speech, she said: “Our freedom of speech and expression is under attack. Festivals like this, where we can learn from one another and express ourselves artistically, are crucial.”
Her comments come amid a debate within the entertainment industry. More than 400 film-makers and actors have pledged to boycott Israeli film institutions they accuse of supporting “genocide and apartheid,” while another group of performers has criticised that pledge as censorship. Lawrence has not signed either statement but urged audiences to “stay focused on who is responsible” rather than target individual artists.
The star is due to receive the honorary Donostia Award at the festival before the screening of Die, My Love, in which she also serves as producer. Directed by Lynne Ramsay and based on a novel by Argentine author Ariana Harwicz, the film follows a mother in rural America grappling with psychosis and features Robert Pattinson, Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek and LaKeith Stanfield. It is set for US release on November 7.
