Former Spider-Man actor Spider-Man Andrew Garfield was cheered as he called for support and sympathy for ‘the lives of Palestinians in Gaza right now.’ Whilst being interviewed on the Happy, Sad, Confused Podcast, Garfield responded to a question from host Josh Horowitz asking what would make him happy, to which the actor responded he was quite content but that ‘our energy should be put towards something that matters’.

From Swing Webs to Swinging Into Real Life Heroism

Garfield is primarily known for his role as Spider-Man in Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man movies, which proceeded the reboot of the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the web-slinger’s third reboot in less than a decade! There, Garfield returned to reprise his role alongside former Spider-Man Tobey Maguire and the current holder of the role Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Little too much is known about British/American politics, as Garfield is known to be especially private. Garfield is currently on a press tour with fellow British actor Florence Pugh – known for playing Amy March in Little Women and Yelena Belova across several MCU projects.

Both actors had previously signed the Artists4Ceasefire letter addressed to President Biden calling for the US to support an intervention into the Israel-Palestine conflict, which would call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli occupation;

We urge your administration, Congress, and all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages. Half of Gaza’s two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees and their descendants being forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them.

From Marvel to DC, Heroes Want Palestine Free!

The response to Garfield’s statement online has been mostly received positively, with many celebrating the actor’s sincerity in recognizing the genuine and frightening plight of a people under siege with little hope of escape and less survival. In the little over a year since October 7th, Palestinians in Gaza have continued to suffer under the brutal invasion of the IDF, as demonstrated in this AlJazeera documentary –

The continued demonstration of support from public figures like Garfield allows for Palestine to remain a hot-button topic in the press and forces coverage of a subject Western Media would otherwise like to avoid.

Whilst the end of the conflict is not in sight, there is some hope as on October 15th; the US threatened Israel with an arms embargo if they did not allow aid to enter Gaza within thirty days. The US, which is by far Israel’s strongest supporter, would likely not have come to this decision without the voices of Palestinian supporters in the streets and the media.

How heavily this embargo threat might be, and if it will be enforced to such an extent as to be effective, remains to be seen. The decision comes shortly before the US election and therefore the threat of embargo may not hold Israel at bay depending on if Trump or Harris win and how either of them may decide to continue their relationship with the Zionist nation.

Until then, it is good to know that Andrew Garfield is one ally that supporters of Palestinian freedom have in the media. Many of us enjoy playing a hero; Garfield – through his words alone – is being one.