Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton has expressed strong support for Palestinian rights and has been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She has consistently used her platform to advocate for a ceasefire and to criticize actions that she perceives as contributing to the suffering of Palestinians. Below is a summary of her public statements and actions based on available information:

• 2011 Vogue Appearance: Swinton appeared in the November 2011 issue of British Vogue wearing a scarf emblazoned with the word “Palestine,” designed by Bella Freud for the Hoping Foundation, which supports Palestinian children. In an interview with The Electronic Intifada, she described the scarf as her favorite and noted it was a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, particularly for the next generation, though she downplayed it as a deliberate controversy.
• 2023 Open Letter for Gaza Ceasefire: Swinton was among over 2,000 artists who signed an open letter by Artists for Palestine UK, published on October 17, 2023, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The letter condemned Israel’s actions, describing them as “war crimes” and accusing governments of “aiding and abetting” them by cutting off essential supplies to 2.3 million Palestinians. It criticized Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant’s description of Palestinians as “human animals” and highlighted the collective punishment faced by Gazans.
• 2024 Cinema for Gaza Auction: In March 2024, Swinton contributed to the Cinema for Gaza initiative, offering a Zoom bedtime story as part of an auction to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). This effort aimed to support humanitarian relief in Gaza amid what organizers described as Israel’s military siege, which they said had obliterated Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
• 2025 Berlin Film Festival Speech: During her acceptance speech for an Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlinale on February 13, 2025, Swinton denounced “state-perpetrated and internationally enabled mass murder,” widely interpreted as a reference to Israel’s actions in Gaza, where over 61,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were reported killed. She criticized “greed-addicted governments” and took a swipe at proposals to redevelop Gaza, likening them to ethnic cleansing. At a press conference, she addressed the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement’s call to boycott the festival due to Germany’s support for Israel, expressing admiration for BDS but defending her attendance as a way to use her platform effectively.

• 2025 Opposition to Palestine Action Ban: In June 2025, Swinton signed another open letter by Artists for Palestine UK, opposing the UK government’s proposal to label Palestine Action a terrorist organization. The letter argued that Palestine Action’s non-violent direct actions were aimed at stopping genocide and that banning them was an attack on democracy. It also called for the UK to stop arming Israel.