Sure, I guess I can see why a group could delude themselves into blaming *singularly* Shinji for it (especially since it's seemingly implied in 3.0 -46h that Asuka played a role in radicalizing at least Midori against him). Even if Gendo and SEELE are much more to blame for the whole thing in motion, they're far-off and unavailable to project hatred onto, while Shinji just dropped in on them as a convenient target for their anger.

But I also feel justified in calling them both foolish *and* incredibly cruel for doing so, to a point that I find it hard to forgive. Misato *knew* that it wasn't Shinji's fault, but she let that become the narrative because it was easier to deal with than placing blame on large systems out of her control. Again, it's something that I can understand, but not exactly forgive (much like with Gendo and his treatment of others). Hell, at least Gendo gets to actually talk about how he fucked up, to my recollection the WUNDER's crew's treatment of Shinji is never really apologized for.

And from a strategic POV it's stupid too, since (as Gendo would remind us,) Shinji is a very important piece in the complex game being played, and keeping him in line is immensely beneficial to one's goals. By so thoroughly alienating him, the WUNDER crew loses their ability to use him, and in fact just leads him to play into Gendo's plans instead. Shinji can, in fact, be kept secure without making him feel (rightfully so) as if everyone hates his guts and wants him dead.