- Noah Schnapp said: “I just want peace and security for innocent people”
Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp broke his silence today and said, “I just want peace and security for innocent people,” after the actor faced backlash over his comments about the Israel-Hamas war.
Schnapp, 19, a Jew, was criticized for displaying stickers reading “Zionism is sexy” in November and saying in a separate statement in October: “Either you stand with Israel or you stand up.” the side of terrorism”.
Responding to the backlash, Schnapp said today that his “thoughts and beliefs have so far been interpreted in the same way as anything I believe.”
“I just want peace and security for all the innocent people affected by this conflict,” the Will Byers actor told his 32 million followers on TikTok.
Schnapp has openly supported Israel in the past and condemned Hamas terrorists who rampaged across the country, massacring more than 1,300 people and taking 240 hostages. In response, Israel launched devastating airstrikes on Gaza, killing 24,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
But despite the backlash over his comments and the fact that he paraded stickers reading “Zionism is sexy,” Schnapp added: “I've had a lot of candid conversations with friends from a Palestinian background and I think those are very important conversations , and I learned that…” a lot.
Schnapp, 19, a Jew, was criticized for displaying stickers reading “Zionism is sexy” in November and saying in a separate statement in October: “Either you stand with Israel or you stand up.” the side of terrorism”. . From left in the teaser image for the 5th season of Stranger Things: Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Charlie Heaton, Eduardo Franco, “Chapter Nine: The Piggyback”
“One of my findings is that we all hope for the same thing – that the innocent people held hostage in Gaza will be returned to their families, and that we equally hope for the end of the war and the loss of innocent lives.” in Palestine – so many of these people are women and children.”
The young actor added: “And I think anyone with a shred of humanity would hope for an end to hostilities on both sides.” “I am against any killing of innocent people.”
Reflecting on the criticism he has faced in recent months, Schnapp said, “I hope that in 2024 people will be a little more understanding and compassionate.” [online] and recognize that we are all human beings…we should stand together for humanity and peace.”
Schnapp faced backlash for bragging “Zionism is sexy” and “Hamas is ISIS” in a TikTok video in November in which he laughs alongside friends.
A month earlier, he had been criticized for releasing a statement saying: “Either you are on the side of Israel or you are on the side of terrorism.” It should not be a difficult choice. “Shame on you!” – which was seen as condoning the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Fans had called the star “sick and twisted” and urged viewers to boycott the new season of “Stranger Things.”
One fan wrote: “Damn, killing innocent civilians is sexy.” Depriving people of basic needs is sexy. It's sexy to be the reason people are evicted from their homes
Another wrote: “How come he doesn't get fired for spreading hate,” while a third typed: “War crimes are sexy?” and another wrote: “This is the extent of evil.”
Backlash: 'Stranger Things' star Noah Schnapp was criticized for displaying stickers that read “Zionism is sexy” amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In the video shared on Instagram in November, the 19-year-old Will Byers actor, who is Jewish, can be seen laughing as he sits among friends showing off the stickers – which also read: “Hamas is Isis” as mourners react Body of Faris Khalifa during his funeral at the Nur Shams camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank on January 16
Others wrote: “He has all these resources to learn about the occupation, literally thousands of people pointing him in that direction and this is what he responds.”
“He hands out stickers while Palestinians are being blown up.” Yes, “Stranger Things” is definitely canceled in this budget
“He’s stupid and evil, the worst combination.”
“Get out of your comfy LA neighborhood, give up your career and go to Israel if you love the Palestinian genocide so much.”
In an Oct. 11 post, Schnapp wrote, “As a Jewish American, I am afraid.” I am afraid for my brothers and sisters in Israel who have been senselessly attacked by Hamas. It truly breaks my heart to see the brutal murders of innocent children, women and soldiers fighting to defend themselves.
“I, like others, want peace for both the Palestinians and the Israelis.” Let’s stop the rhetoric and party voting. Instead, we must recognize that we are all on the side of the fight against terrorism. Choose humanity over violence.
“I just posted a beautiful picture of a young innocent girl whose life was taken by Hamas at a music festival.” I was met with comments that read: “Nobody cares about a free Palestine” and “She deserves this, and every Israeli terrorist deserves that – a free Palestine.”
“I am outraged by the justification and celebration of the death of a young girl. Have people lost their minds??? TO STOP!'
“This is an example of how many posts, rallies and petitions have been signed to justify the brutality against these innocent Israeli people,” he continued. “You don’t have to be Jewish, you don’t have to be Israeli, you just have to have empathy and common sense to know THAT THAT is wrong.”
“I hope we can agree that Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization: it does not represent the Palestinian people if murdering Israelis is more important to them than protecting their people.”
“Either you are on the side of Israel or you are on the side of terrorism.” It should not be a difficult choice. Shame on you.'
“While you justify the murders and torture of our loved ones, we hope and pray for security, justice, liberation and self-determination in Palestine,” he continued, addressing his pro-violence commentators.
A Palestinian woman cries in front of a destroyed building in Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on January 16. Palestinians injured in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip are being treated at a hospital in Khan Younis on Monday. Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday
This came as Israeli tanks stormed back into parts of the northern Gaza Strip they left last week, residents said on Tuesday, leading to some of the fiercest fighting since New Year's Day when Israel announced it was scaling back its operations there.
Massive explosions were seen from across the border with Israel over the northern areas of the Gaza Strip, a rarity in the past two weeks after Israel announced a troop withdrawal in the north as part of a transition to smaller, targeted operations.
The crackle of intense gunfire echoed through the night across the border. In the morning, contrails snaked through the sky as Israel's Iron Dome defense facility intercepted rockets fired over the fence by militants – evidence of their continued ability to fire them despite more than 100 days of war.
Israel said its forces killed dozens of Hamas militants in clashes overnight in Beit Lahiya, on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip. Gaza health authorities said 158 people were killed in the enclave in the last 24 hours of Israeli bombing, bringing the death toll from the war, now in its fourth month, to 24,285, with thousands more feared Bodies are lost in the rubble.
Israel began the war to destroy Hamas after militants stormed the border fence on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. The war has forced nearly all Gazans from their homes, some multiple times, and created a humanitarian crisis with food, fuel and medical supplies running out.
Under pressure from Washington to reduce civilian casualties, Israel had said it would change its tactics, moving from a large-scale ground attack to targeted operations against the Hamas militants who control the enclave.