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Two months after a video of Noah Schnapp engaging with a “Zionism Is Sexy” sticker went viral, prompting many Stranger Things fans to call for a boycott of the series' long-anticipated fifth and final season, the actor has issued a statement clarifying his views on Israel-Palestine.
On January 16, 2024, one week after production for Stranger Things season 5 officially kicked off, Noah Schnapp took to TikTok to share a new statement showing support for the people of Palestine.
Though Schnapp does not mention the controversial clip involving the sticker, he does begin his almost two-minute video by addressing online discourse attached to his name.
“I just wanted to come on here super briefly just to discuss everything that’s been going on online. I feel like my thoughts and beliefs have been so far misconstrued from anything even close to what I believe, and I wanted to just state from my heart how I feel,” Schnapp said in the video. “I only want peace, and safety, and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict.”
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In the video, Schnapp notes that he’s had “many open discussions with friends from Palestinian background [sic],” which he thinks are “very important conversations” that have helped him “learn a lot.” He added: “One of the takeaways I’ve had is that we all hope for the same things, that being those innocent people still being held hostage in Gaza to be returned to their families and equally hope for an end to the loss of innocent lives in Palestine, so many of those people being women and children. It’s horrible to see.”
“I think anyone with any ounce of humanity would hope for an end to the hostility on both sides,” the actor continued. “I stand against any killing of any innocent people, and I hope you guys all do, too. I just hope to one day see those two groups be able to live harmoniously together in that region, and I hope for 2024 online to see people be a little more understanding and compassionate and recognize that we’re all human regardless of our race, of our ethnicity, of our background, of our country of birth, even our sexualities, of anything. We are all human, and we’re all the same, and we should all love each other for that and support each other and stand together. And Stand together for humanity and for peace.”
Shortly after its posting on the morning of January 16, fans took to the comment section of Schnapp’s TikTok video, with many still calling for a boycott and others inquiring about the timing of his statement. The comments section has since been disabled entirely. Representatives for Schnapp did not immediately respond to Teen Vogue’s request for comment.
Schnapp's new TikTok isn't the only social post the actor has made about the Israel-Hamas conflict. After the Hamas attacks on October 7, Schnapp took to Instagram to share his views — in a post that has now been deleted — where he echoed similar sentiments.
“I am truly heartbroken to see the brutal murders of innocent children, women, and soldiers fighting to defend themselves. I, like others, want peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. 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 wrote at the time.
“I hope we can agree that Hamas are a recognized terrorist organization: they don't represent the Palestinian people when they value murdering Israelis more than protecting their own. You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism. It shouldn't be a difficult choice," the actor continued before adding: “While you justify the murders and torture of our loved ones, we will hope and pray for safety, justice, liberation, and self determination in Palestine.”
