New Delhi, May 17 -- Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem has delivered one of the most politically charged interventions at this year's Cannes Film Festival, defending his public criticism of the war in Gaza and accusing world leaders of embodying destructive forms of masculinity that fuel violence and conflict.

Bardem, who is attending the festival with his latest film The Beloved, was asked whether he feared professional consequences for repeatedly speaking out about Gaza. The actor has emerged as one of the entertainment industry's most vocal critics of Israel's military campaign, previously using his appearance at the Academy Awards to declare "Free Palestine" while presenting the Oscar for best international feature film.

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