Noah Schnapp clarifies his stance on Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Noah Schnapp, the young actor known for his role in the popular series Stranger Things, has addressed the online backlash regarding his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, clarifying that his thoughts and beliefs have been misconstrued.

In a TikTok video posted late Monday night, Schnapp expressed his desire for peace, safety, and security for all innocent individuals affected by the conflict. He acknowledged having open discussions with friends from a Palestinian background, highlighting the importance of such conversations and the shared hope for the return of hostages in Gaza to their families.

Schnapp also emphasized the need for an end to the loss of innocent lives, particularly women and children, and the importance of understanding and compassion in online discussions.

The controversy surrounding Schnapp began in November with the emergence of a video featuring him alongside friends holding stickers that read ‘Zionism is Sexy’ and ‘Hamas is ISIS.’ This sparked criticism and accusations of insensitivity, leading to further backlash on social media.

Lauren Jauregui, a member of the musical group Fifth Harmony, condemned the video, accusing Schnapp and his friends of enjoying bloodshed and death. The actor John Cusack amplified Jauregui’s post by retweeting it.

It is vital to note that both Hamas and ISIS are designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government, while Israel has lodged complaints against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice.

Noah Schnapp rose to fame in 2016 through his portrayal of Will Byers in the hit series Stranger Things, available for streaming on Netflix. He has also appeared in notable projects like Steven Spielberg‘s ‘Bridge of Spies’ and lent his voice to the character of Charlie Brown in ‘The Peanuts Movie.’

Schnapp concluded his TikTok video by calling on people to recognize their shared humanity and to stand together in support of humanity and peace.