‘Stranger Things’ Faces Boycott Calls

Netflix hit Stranger Things is facing boycott calls after one of the show’s stars reportedly engaged with a social media post many deemed Islamophobic.

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the smash hit, allegedly liked a video on social media by Noa Tishby that had fans questioning their allegiance to the show, which will soon return for its final outing.

The video in question comes from an Israeli TV satire show and features “Columbia Untisemity.” The video targets support for Palestinians on U.S. college campuses, and features an individual saying that their platform is open to “LGBTQH” individuals—with the “H” standing for Hamas.

Some of Schnapp’s followers have defended him for interacting with the video, while others have called for him to be written out of the show.

Noah Schnapp attends Variety Power of Young Hollywood at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 10, 2023, in Hollywood, California. The Stranger Things star has caused an online stir, with many now opting to boycott the show after he allegedly liked a post on social media. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The video was shared by Noa Tishby, an Israeli actress, writer, producer, and activist. Her Instagram bio reads: “Former Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism. Author of the NYT best selling book: Israel A Simple Guide.”

Schnapp himself is Jewish American and also announced that he was gay at the start of the year. On Instagram, he recently shared a statement with his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict wanting “peace for both Palestinians and Israelis” and “Let’s stop the rhetoric and choosing sides. Instead we must recognize that we are all on the side of the fight against terrorism. Choose humanity over violence.”

Schnapp allegedly liked the video that Tishby shared of the “pro-Hamas college students.” Tishby captioned the post: “A huge part of our Jewish culture is using humor to deal with trauma. It helps with the pain. Please enjoy these pro-Hamas college students on their journey to normalize a massacre. Sigh. Aired tonight on the Israeli satire TV show “What a Wonderful Country” – @liat_har_lev @tamirbar.”

Social media account @BuzzingPop took a screengrab and shared it on X, formerly Twitter. The like from Schnapp appears to have been removed.

One social media user commented on the screen grab: “Boycott Stranger Things I’m so serious we aren’t watching that s***.”

Another said: “Reminder to boycott S5 of Stranger Things and not watch it or support it in any way!”

A third added: “Noah Schnapp being a piece of absolute s*** from the floor isn’t news, boycott Stranger Things.”

Calls for the boycott continued to flood in, with one social media user chiming in: “Don’t just boycott Stranger Things. Cancel your Netflix subscription. There is absolutely no reason for you to be paying for it. Not even 0.5% necessity.”

A Netflix viewer asked for the star to be written out: “Rewriting Noah Schnapp’s Stranger Things season 5 script so Will’s story ends with him being eaten by a Demogorgon and being forgotten forever.”

Some viewers did hit back at naysayers, and those criticizing the star, with one saying: “This video is not mocking Muslims / Queers, it’s mocking the queer people who support Hamas, a terrorist organization that kills queer people, you Idiots.”

Another said: “It’s literally a video mocking Hamas and their supporters. Stop spreading misinformation. And yes, Hamas killed people for being homosexual, it’s a fact.”

A dedicated fan added: “Noah, you are my pride, a gay Jew who has self-love and is not afraid of queer harassment or threats from terrorists. You are my hero Noah, I love you so much.”

Noah’s comment and the video follow the events that took place on October 7 when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which subsequently launched airstrikes on Gaza.

Newsweek has reached out to Noah Schnapps’ publicist via email for comment

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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