Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp has reportedly donated $20,000 (approximately £15,125) to help a Palestinian nurse from Gaza complete a fundraiser to leave the territory and continue his studies in the UK, prompting renewed discussion over the actor's past comments on Israel and Gaza.
According to a post shared on Reddit's r/Fauxmoi on Sunday, 4 October, Schnapp donated the remaining $20,000 needed for Karam Fathi's fundraiser. Fathi, described in the post as a Palestinian nursing graduate from Gaza, has publicly documented his experiences since October 2023 as he seeks financial support to move to England and continue studying at the University of Leicester.
'Zionism Is Sexy'
The reported donation has drawn particular attention because of Schnapp's previous public statements about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In November 2023, Schnapp faced backlash after appearing in a video alongside people holding stickers bearing the phrase 'Zionism is sexy'. At the time, he had already attracted criticism for his outspoken support for Israel following Hamas's 7 October attack. The Independent reported that Schnapp had shared a post saying, 'You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism,' while also condemning those he believed were celebrating the deaths of Israeli civilians.
The controversy intensified after footage emerged showing Schnapp with people displaying the stickers. The Independent later amended its coverage to clarify that Schnapp appeared in the video but did not personally handle the stickers or share the footage himself.
Was It Misconstrued?
In January 2024, Schnapp addressed the backlash in a video, saying his views had been 'misconstrued' and that he wanted peace and safety for innocent people affected by the conflict.
He said he had spoken with friends of Palestinian background and had learned from those conversations. Schnapp also expressed opposition to the loss of innocent Palestinian lives and said he hoped Israelis and Palestinians could eventually live peacefully alongside one another.
The reported donation has revived the debate over Schnapp's earlier position, with Reddit users reacting to the sudden shift in his support for Palestinian causes.
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by u/LtLemonade from discussion
in Fauxmoi
Personal Growth?
Some users questioned whether the donation represented genuine personal growth or an attempt to repair his public image. Others pointed out that Schnapp had reportedly followed and interacted with Fathi for some time before the donation became widely discussed online.
Several users argued that, regardless of the actor's motivation, the money would provide meaningful help to someone directly affected by the conflict.
One Reddit comment described the development as a possible sign of growth, while another wrote, 'I guess Zionism isn't sexy after all.' Others urged caution about interpreting a single donation as evidence that Schnapp had changed his political beliefs.
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by u/LtLemonade from discussion
in Fauxmoi
The donation has not, based on the available reporting, been accompanied by a detailed public statement from Schnapp explaining his views or confirming a change in his position on Zionism.
For now, the reported $20,000 contribution has placed the actor back at the centre of an Israel-Gaza debate he first became embroiled in nearly three years ago. While some fans see the donation as evidence of a shift, others remain sceptical and are waiting for further actions or statements before drawing conclusions about Schnapp's views.
