'Could not agree more': Internet sides with 'Stranger Things' star Brett Gelman for lashing out against anti-Israel protests

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: After Donald Trump, 'Stranger Things' actor Brett Gelman has lashed out at university leaders for permitting anti-Israel protests and encampments to take over their college campuses, arguing that the mob received special treatment. 

Gelman, who is Jewish, and best known for portraying the character of Murray Bauman in the Netflix series, said that he believed students' freedom of speech should be protected but hate speech and violence should not be tolerated under any circumstance. "They should be expelled. That's it," he told TMZ on Tuesday, April 30. 

Brett Gelman talks about the double standards of the ongoing protests

"If this was against any other people, or they were blocking Black students or gay students or women from entering campus, this would be shut down. This would've been immediately shut down. As it should be," the actor and comedian continued. 

Gelman, considering his ethnicity, has understandably been vocal in his defense of Israel and about the backlash and threats he's received for his views since the October 7 terror attacks. "The fact that Jewish pain is not being recognized by these people — it just shows their cards," he went on to say of anti-Israel protesters.

Brett Gelman called out the professional agitators

The actor also questioned why the protestors were hiding behind masks and called out the professional agitators influencing these protests. "I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but it seems very strangely coordinated, to a degree. So it's not just about passions about injustices. It's a coordinated movement that we've seen before," Gelman said.

"It's really just a repeat of the 1930s, not allowing Jewish students at universities," he continued.

Noah Schnapp has also received backlash for defending Israel

Gelman's 'Stranger Things' co-star Noah Schnapp has also received backlash for his outspoken defense of Israel in its war against Hamas. In November, he received hate online for posing with stickers that said, "Zionism is Sexy" and "Hamas is Isis."

Earlier this year, Schnapp told his followers that critics have "misconstrued" his beliefs and that he only wishes for peace, safety and security "for all innocent people affected by this conflict."

White House's reaction to student protests so far

The White House has condemned the student-led demonstrations against Israel, often accusing them of triggering anti-Semitism. 

“While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable, and dangerous — they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement to US media outlets commenting on the Columbia protests on April 21, according to Al Jazeera. 

President Joe Biden also issued an criticism of the protesters in a message marking Passover on that very same day. 

“Even in recent days, we’ve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews,” the US president said, adding “This blatant anti-Semitism is reprehensible and dangerous – and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.”

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates also criticized student protesters at Columbia 

Bates again denounced student protesters at Columbia this week after they occupied a building on campus. “President Biden has stood against repugnant, antisemitic smears and violent rhetoric his entire life. He condemns the use of the term ‘intifada,’ as he has the other tragic and dangerous hate speech displayed in recent days,” Bates said.

Internet reacts after Brett Gelman called out the anti-Israel protesters 

Internet users also sided with the 'Stranger Things' star after he voiced his disappointment against the anti-Israel protestors. One user tweeted, "If this was against any other people, or they were blocking Black students or gay students or women from entering campus, this would be shut down. This would've been immediately shut down. As it should be." 

Another wrote, "I agree 100%." "Yes am with you they should be expelled," added one user while said, "Could not agree more!". "Expel them all," echoed one user and another opined, "Yes they should be. The professional outsiders who protested should be charged to the highest level allowed by law. Parents of non protesting students should sue Columbia and the protesting students."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.