Fatima Bhutto calls out ‘Stranger Things’ actor for distributing ‘Zionism is sexy’ stickers online

Many including author have called for a boycott of the show starring Noah Schnapp as Will Byers


Entertainment Desk November 14, 2023

Noah Schnapp, the 19-year-old actor known for his role as Will Byers in Stranger Things, has stirred controversy on social media. In a video posted on his platform on X, Schnapp and some of his friends were seen distributing stickers bearing slogans such as ‘Hamas is ISIS’ and ‘Zionism is sexy’. 

The video, initially shared by Popbase, rapidly went viral, amassing over four million views and igniting a passionate debate on the micro-blogging site, with many expressing their anger and frustration over Schnapp's provocative actions and calling for a boycott of Stranger Things ahead of its return for its final season in 2024. 

Author and columnist Fatima Bhutto, too, took to X to voice her criticism of the young actor amid Israel’s unrelenting military operation against Palestinians. Addressing the slogans on the stickers, Fatima remarked, “It would be hard to find an unsexier group of people to advertise a less sexy cause. Premature babies are being pulled from incubators thanks to Israel.” 

The author further declared, “Zionists are shameless and grotesque in their celebration of genocide,” adding the hashtag for Stranger Things’ boycott.

Singer-songwriter and member of girl group Fifth Harmony, Lauren Jauregui, also joined the legion of critics, labeling Zionists “necrophiliacs” in response to the actor calling Zionism “sexy”. “Who the f*ck even evokes the word ‘sexy’ in the midst of genocide or has the capacity to rape people when they’re in the most terrified and disempowered state possible…necrophiliacs,” she penned in a quote reply. “There is an enjoyment of bloodshed, an enjoyment of death…a celebration of it.”

The singer furthered on, “I’ve heard so many soldiers and Zionists threaten rape or wish it upon those of us who have enough humanity to show up for the Palestinian people in solidarity. It’s a power tactic (women know this). It is a tool of genocide. It is a tool of colonization, they do it ALWAYS.”

One X user contended how some people are subjected to increasing censorship and serious repercussions for expressing solidarity with Palestine while Schnapp can casually term Israel’s violence “sexy” without fearing any punitive consequences. Another post challenged the wisdom behind the actor’s video even if he felt empathetic to the loss of Israeli lives.

“Even if - IF - he believes this is a legitimate war, why is he making light of it like this? Laughing with his friends about it and posting it to Instagram? Does he not respect even the Israelis being killed?” the post pointed out.

Earlier, Schnapp put up a long note after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel in October that resulted in over 1,300 casualties. The Jewish actor stated that albeit Hamas is not representative of the Palestinian people, the only right side is Israel. “You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism. It shouldn't be a difficult choice. Shame on you,” Schnapp stated.

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