Footy star Shaun Johnson spotted wearing ‘Free Palestine’ badge as Sonny Bill Williams praises New Zealand Warriors halfback amid conflict in Gaza

Shaun Johnson was spotted wearing a ‘Free Palestine’ badge, prompting Sonny Bill Williams to praise the NRL star for ‘standing up for justice’.

Williams, 38, a devout Muslim who converted to Islam in 2009, has spoken out on social media about the ongoing crisis in Gaza, which erupted in October and has claimed thousands of lives.

And he took to social media on Tuesday after a photo of Warriors halfback Johnson wearing a ‘Free Palestine’ badge made the rounds.

The 33-year-old was all smiles in the photo with his wife Kayla. It is not known when the photo was taken.

“Good to see some players standing up for justice,” Williams posted alongside three Palestinian flag emojis.

Johnson is not the first footy star to support Palestine, with Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr comparing the struggles of Palestinians to those of indigenous Australians.

In October, he shared an image of the indigenous flag next to the Palestinian flag, with the caption “ONE STRUGGLE ONE FIGHT.”

Below the indigenous flag are the words ‘LAND BACK’ and the logo of the Black People’s Union (BPU), accompanied by Arabic script.

He later apologized for the message.

Earlier this year, the NRL condemned Sonny Bill after he was accused of inciting hatred on social media in relation to the war in Gaza, describing supporters of Israel as “Zionist cowards” while claiming that Israelis involved in the attack held hostage by Hamas on October 7 were treated. Good.

That led to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry telling the NRL that many members of Australia’s Jewish community were offended by his statements, and asking that Williams be supported by the league.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo criticized Williams’ position in his response to the organisation.

“The NRL condemns any comments that deny or downplay the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, including the targeting and killing of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages and indiscriminate fire,” it wrote. Abdo. to NewsCorp.

Sonny Bill Williams praised Johnson for speaking out in support of Palestine

The former All Black is a devout Muslim and has made his views clear on social media

“The NRL does not endorse or support the comments and/or views expressed by Mr Williams in his comments recently posted to Instagram and X.

“Given that Mr Williams is not bound by the NRL Rules, the NRL has no jurisdiction or mechanism to sanction or advise Mr Williams in relation to the comments he has made on social media platforms.”

Abdo further wrote that the NRL does not consider it appropriate to comment on the conflict in Gaza.

Williams has also accused the media of trying to make the “genocide” of Palestinians seem “justified” in the post with his “cowards” comment.

‘Wallahi (I swear to God) where is our Ummah (Muslim community)?’ He wrote.

“Where are the so-called men entrusted to stand up and fight for our voiceless – if these images are too horrifying for you, remember that these are the same people who DETHUMANIZE certain parts of the media, so you think that this genocide is justified.

“You Zionist cowards wouldn’t last a day fighting real men face to face. Allahu Akbar!!”

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the 38-year-old used his platform to stir up hatred against fellow Australians and offered to meet Williams “anywhere, anytime” to discuss the issue.

“His comments are reckless, dangerous and patently uninformed,” Ryvchin said.

“But to his many fans and followers, they will sound convincing and will serve to stir up hatred and further destabilize our fragile social cohesion.”