“Star Wars” star Mark Hamill was slammed over the weekend for showing support for Israel following the unprovoked terrorist attacks from Hamas.
The 72-year-old actor posted images of American and Israeli flags on social media with the caption, “America stands with Israel [fist emoji] #ALWAYS.”
America stands with Israel ✊#ALWAYS pic.twitter.com/kM3e9S125s
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) October 8, 2023
At the time of this publication, Hamill’s post has been viewed 23.7 million times and counting.
Hamill learned quickly he was followed by many accounts that did not agree with his support of Israel, calling America and Israel the evil “empire.”
“Free Palestine,” one person wrote.
Free Palestine 🇵🇸
— Hussain✌✊ (@Itx_Hussain54) October 8, 2023
Another added, “The Palestinians are literally the Rebellion – bro if you were this age when the original trilogy first came out, even when George Lucas explicitly stated how the movies were inspired by the Vietnam War, you’d think South Vietnam and the USA were the good guys.”
The Palestinians are literally the Rebellion – bro if you were this age when the original trilogy first came out, even when George Lucas explicitly stated how the movies were inspired by the Vietnam War, you'd think South Vietnam and the USA were the good guys.
— American Partisan 🇺🇸⚙️🌾 (@partisan1776) October 8, 2023
While another used a Star Wars gif and wrote, “Nooo! Didn’t expect you would join the dark side so easily Mark!#FreePalastine.”
Nooo! Didn’t expect you would join the dark side so easily Mark!
#FreePalastine 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/9aQHK8rK1r— AlmoXGame (@MontherVII) October 8, 2023
Many comments were related to his “Star Wars” character, Luke Skywalker, who fights against the empire and leads the rebels to defeat Darth Vader and destroy the Death Star. The fact that the “Star Wars” franchise was fictional compared to the hundreds of real people murdered over the weekend in the attacks seemed to miss many of Hamill’s followers.
“I loved in Star Wars when Luke said ‘we need to stand with the Empire against these rebel terrorists,'” one person wrote sarcastically.
I loved in Star Wars when Luke said “we need to stand with the Empire against these rebel terrorists” https://t.co/xcQ1xcahtL
— punished evan (@eeesssjjj) October 8, 2023
“Star Wars is literally about a small resistance ‘terror’ cell overthrowing an empire,” another account posted, suggesting the rebels in “Star Wars,” who fought for freedom, were terrorists.
Star Wars is literally about a small resistance “terror” cell overthrowing an empire https://t.co/jlVEdNnvdR
— 🫡🏴 (@corncommunist) October 8, 2023
While another wrote, “Luke Skywalker rooting for the empire. Wild times.”
Luke Skywalker rooting for the empire. Wild times. https://t.co/CCTIJNQnHX
— People's City Council – Los Angeles (@PplsCityCouncil) October 8, 2023
And another opined, “Luke Skywalker joined the dark side and supports apartheid & illegal occupation.”
Luke Skywalker joined the dark side and supports apartheid & illegal occupation. https://t.co/yfsuF6Ezoh
— Ryan Knight ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) October 8, 2023
The “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” star has yet to respond to the criticism nor to delete his post, unlike reality star Kylie Jenner, who posted support for Israel but, after facing a backlash from followers, deleted her post.
Related: Mark Hamill Uses ‘Star Wars’ Voice To Warn Ukrainians About Air-Raid On App