Sonny Bill Williams shows support for Hamas militants who launched horrific attack on Israel

Sonny Bill Williams has sparked another social media firestorm by widely sharing and liking a post saying that the Hamas militants who attacked Israel should be called freedom fighters instead of terrorists.

Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by Australia, fired at least 3,500 rockets into Israel before gunmen stormed cities and killed, wounded or captured civilians during a major Jewish holiday on Saturday.

Israeli forces responded with airstrikes in Gaza, destroying many residential buildings.

The fighting has resulted in the death of at least 700 people, while thousands more have been injured.

Williams, who has been one of the best athletes of his generation in a checkered career in rugby league, rugby union and boxing, took to social media on Sunday to renew his support for the Palestinian cause.

Sonny Bill Williams liked a tweet comparing Hamas militants to Ukrainian civilians fighting against Russia

The post sparked some strong opinions from Williams’ followers online

He shared a post by US law professor, author and controversial columnist Khaled Beydoun that said: “So Ukrainian civilians who defend their families are ‘freedom fighters’… But Palestinians in Gaza who do the same are ‘terrorists ‘?”

Williams reposted the comment with 100 emojis to show his approval and the palms up emoji to represent prayer.

His post has had more than 10,000 likes, but not everyone agrees with his stance.

Sonny bill, you absolute clown of a boy! Helmet,” one commenter responded on X.

“They’re not doing anywhere near the same thing though,” said another.

“Over 250 troops at the Peace Music Festival. And you support it? Ukrainians are not attacking civilians. The Palestinians are,” said a third.

Williams, a devout Muslim, has sparked controversy in the past with some of his tweets, including retweeting divisive social media star Andrew Tate.

Fire and smoke rise in Gaza City after an Israeli airstrike on Sunday in response to a devastating attack by Hamas

While the world is reeling from the latest attacks on the Jewish state, some Palestinian supporters in Australia are cheering Hamas attacks on Israel.

A large crowd gathered outside Lakemba Station in Sydney’s south-west on Sunday night to celebrate the attack, while fireworks were set off in nearby Greenacre by a wave of the Palestinian flag.

‘I’m smiling and I’m happy. I am happy,” Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun told the crowd in Lakemba.

‘It is a day of courage. It’s a proud day. It is a day of victory. This is the day we’ve been waiting for!’ he shouted as the crowd chanted ‘Allahu Akbar’ or God is great in Arabic.

“It brings pride to the heart, it brings joy to the heart, my brothers and sisters… you and I, standing in Australia, we support our brothers and sisters in Palestine.”

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong sparked controversy after calling on Israel to show ‘restraint’ in the face of the crisis.

People react at the site where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in Tel Aviv, Israel

She was among many world leaders and diplomats who condemned the attack by Palestinian militants.

“Australia unequivocally condemns attacks on Israel by Hamas, including indiscriminate rocket fire on cities and civilians,” she wrote in X.

“We call for these attacks to stop and to recognize Israel’s right to defend itself.

“Australia urges exercise of restraint and protection of civilian life.”

But it was the last words in Senator Wong’s statement that drew the ire of Opposition Leader Michael Sukkar.

‘Unbelievable, content? Israel has every right to defend itself with whatever force is required,” he replied.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also responded to the unprecedented attack and expressed support for Israel.

“Australia stands with our friend Israel at this time,” he wrote in X.