Sydney Sweeney Sparks Backlash After Cozy Moment With Freed Israeli Hostages Leaves Fans Divided

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Sydney Sweeney is receiving significant online backlash after meeting with two former hostages who were released by Hamas.

The actress Sydney Sweeney was photographed with Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, two Israelis who were captured during the October 7, 2023 attacks and later rescued from Gaza in June 2024 during a military operation. The pro-Israel group StandWithUs shared the photo, which shows Sweeney smiling between the two, with her arms around their backs.

Sweeney chose a simple outfit for the meeting, wearing a light turtleneck, denim shorts, and black knee-high boots. Argamani wore a relaxed brown dress and jacket, and Or was dressed casually in a T-shirt and dark pants. The photo seems to have been taken outside, perhaps on a patio.

Actress Sydney Sweeney met with Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, two individuals who were held captive by Hamas. Noa and Avinatan were kidnapped from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Noa was rescued during an Israeli military operation in June 2024, and…

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) January 13, 2026

The photo quickly gained attention online, with many people sharing their reactions. Numerous users applauded the actress for her show of support. Israeli diplomat Itai Biran commented on X, praising both her style and values. The UK National Jewish Assembly also expressed their admiration, noting her kindness in meeting with and supporting the group.

Many fans expressed their support in the comments section. One commenter praised her for being both a celebrity and a genuine person, noting that it’s unusual to see these days. Another referenced her recent American Eagle ad campaign, playfully commenting on the good looks of those featured. The campaign had previously sparked discussion, with some viewers criticizing it for potentially promoting unhealthy ideals.

However, not everyone was happy with the announcement. Some users criticized Taylor Swift for being seen with people who publicly support Israel. Others mentioned her possible connection to Scooter Braun, a music executive who has previously supported both Israeli families of hostages and people in Gaza. The reaction ranged from simple disapproval – one person just wrote “Ewww” – to outright disappointment, with another commenter calling it “the disappointment of the year.”

Taylor Swift’s fashion choices have sparked political discussion before. For example, in December 2025, she wore designs by Israeli designer Galia Lahav both at the premiere of her movie ‘The Housemaid’ and at the wedding of Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos in Italy.

Social media users noticed a growing number of celebrities publicly supporting Israel. One user expressed skepticism, saying that bringing out famous faces like Nicki Minaj, Sydney Sweeney, and others won’t change people’s opinions on supporting Israel, foreign conflicts, or large companies. Another commenter simply criticized a celebrity’s seeming lack of awareness.

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2026-01-15 15:44