Sydney Sweeney Faces Backlash After Posing With Freed Israeli Hostages as Fans Clash Online
Sydney Sweeney is facing strong reactions online after a photo of her meeting former Israeli hostages began circulating on social media.
The image was shared by StandWithUs, a pro-Israel advocacy group, which said the actress spent time with Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or. The group stated that the two were taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and later freed during an Israeli military operation in June 2024. In the photo, Sweeney stands between them, smiling and placing her arms behind their backs. The moment quickly caught attention and sparked debate.
Soon after the photo was posted, reactions flooded in. Some people praised Sweeney for showing support. Israeli diplomat Itai Biran shared the image on X and wrote, Turns out it’s not just the jeans that fit well, it’s the values too. The UK National Jewish Assembly also reacted positively, saying, Brilliant actor, and genuinely admirable to see her take the time to meet them and show support. Supportive fans echoed similar thoughts in the comments, with one writing, Respect to her for being a celebrity and a human. Seems rare these days…
Actress Sydney Sweeney alongside Hamas captivity survivors Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or.
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) January 13, 2026
Noa and Avinatan were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, from the Nova Festival in southern Israel. Noa was rescued from Gaza in June 2024 during an IDF operation, and… pic.twitter.com/yYBhMfN89n
Others were not happy. Critics accused the actress of being tone deaf and said they were disappointed by her public stance. Some comments were blunt, including posts like, That’s the disappointment of the year, and How much more tone deaf can she be? A few people also brought up her connection to music executive Scooter Braun, who has previously raised funds for both Israeli hostage families and Palestinians in Gaza, adding more fuel to the online backlash.
This is not the first time Sweeney’s actions have drawn attention in this space. In late 2025, she wore gowns from Israeli fashion house Galia Lahav at public events, including a film premiere and a high-profile wedding in Europe. Those choices also sparked discussion at the time.
The mixed response shows how closely celebrity actions are watched, especially when they touch on global conflicts. Some see gestures like this as human and supportive. Others view them as political statements that deserve criticism.
Celebrities often step into these moments without fully controlling how their actions will be read. What may feel like a personal show of support can quickly turn into a public fight online. This situation shows how divided people are and how little room there is for nuance. What do you think about Sydney Sweeney’s appearance in the photo? Was the backlash fair, or has it gone too far? Share your thoughts in the comments.
