Greta Thunberg today deleted a pro-Palestinian social media post after critics claimed a stuffed octopus in the photo could be seen as an ‘anti-Semitic’ symbol – with the activist saying the toy helps with her autism.
The 20-year-old wrote: ‘Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world must speak out and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all affected civilians.”
While many criticized her fail to convict Hamas attacks on Israel, oOthers questioned why the image of her with three other activists featured a blue octopus, calling it an “anti-Semitic trope” for an imaginary global Jewish conspiracy.
In response, Ms Thunberg deleted the original photo and replaced it with one in which the octopus had been cut out.
She wrote: ‘It has come to my attention that the stuffed animal shown in my earlier post could be interpreted as a symbol of anti-Semitism, which I was completely unaware of.
‘The toy in the photo is a tool often used by autistic people as a way to convey feelings. We are of course against any form of discrimination and condemn anti-Semitism in all shapes and forms. This is non-negotiable. That’s why I deleted the last message.’
Greta Thunberg shared a photo in which she was seen holding a sign that read ‘Stand with Gaza’. Some wondered why the post featured a stuffed octopus
In response, Ms Thunberg deleted the original photo and replaced it with one in which the octopus had been cut out
The Swede explained that she was “fully aware” of the symbolism of an octopus and said she used the toy to help with her autism
After Ms Thunberg’s first post, she was accused of covering up Hamas terror attacks that killed 1,400 people in Israel
After her first post, Ms Thunberg was accused of covering up Hamas terror attacks that killed 1,400 people in Israel.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘Greta Thunberg has a lot to say about a lot of things. But judging by her publications on social media, expressing sympathy for the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust does not seem to be one of them.
“This message directs followers to a series of odious organizations, some of which are fringe Jewish groups, but all of which are deeply hostile to the Jewish state. Ms Thunberg spends her life campaigning for greater awareness about the future of our planet.
“Given the organizations she’s signposting here, she might want to take a moment to think about what kind of human society will live on them.”
Investigative journalist David Collier tweeted: “Not a word about Israeli victims… not a word about the terrorist attack… not a word about the hostages….”
John Aziz, who describes himself as a The British-Palestinian musician said: ‘Greta Thunberg called for a ceasefire but did not call for the release of the innocent Israeli hostages.
“The world is already forgetting the terrible crimes of October 7 that caused this war.”
Others called her a “grace” and “an opportunist.”
Tamar Schwarzbard, head of digital operations at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, wrote: “Hamas rockets are not made of sustainable materials.
“They also killed teenagers who could have been your friends. Please say something.’
And Daniel Sugarman, director of public affairs at the Jewish Council of Deputies, said: “Greta Thunberg suddenly tweeted about Gaza while simultaneously condemning the 1,400 people slaughtered by Hamas last week and the nearly 200 hostages taken to ‘and all civilians’ brought, has reduced. influenced” is probably the least surprising thing ever.”
It came as Outlander star Sam Heughan backtracked on his involvement in a controversial letter from luvvies condemning Israel for its attacks on Palestine, saying he “accidentally signed something” that does not reflect his beliefs.
The letter was signed by more than 2,000 actors, musicians and artists, and accused the British government of ‘not only tolerating but aiding and abetting war crimes’. It led to criticism that the authors failed to condemn Hamas’ terrorist attacks.
But Heughan, 43, said he did not “fully understand” the document’s intentions, adding that he was “against terrorism and evil” and was “shocked by Hamas’ recent heinous actions.”
In a post on Twitter yesterday, the actor wrote: ‘I accidentally signed something that doesn’t reflect my beliefs. I believed it was a simple call for peace. It wasn’t.
Others called Ms Thunberg a “disgrace” and “an opportunist” for her intervention
‘I condemn violence in any form. I stand against terrorism and evil and am deeply saddened and shocked by the recent horrific actions of Hamas. It haunts me to the core, my heart goes out to all those affected.
“I don’t know nearly enough about it and (I’m trying) to educate myself about the conflicts in the Middle East. I feel helpless and wish I could help somehow. I pray for compassion, for all the innocent people affected. Peace and love to you all.”
Ms Thunberg was pictured at another climate change protest yesterday, a day after she was charged with a public order offence.
The activist joined a protest outside JP Morgan demanding that the bank stop financing fossil fuels.
She stood outside the entrance to Canary Wharf this morning with the group Fossil Free London.
They tried to block the bank’s entrances by sitting on the sidewalk and chanting “Oily money out” and waving yellow flags and banners.
It came just one day after Thunberg was charged with breach of the peace following a protest outside a hotel in central London.
Scotland Yard said protesters were asked to move from the road to the pavement on Tuesday to avoid breaching the conditions.
Greta Thunberg takes part in a Fossil Free London protest outside JP Morgan in Canary Wharf yesterday
The Swedish climate activist shouts slogans through a megaphone during the demonstration
Thunberg was one of 26 people charged after Tuesday’s rally outside the InterContinental Hotel in Park Lane, where a large gathering of oil executives took place.
At today’s demonstration outside JP Morgan, demonstrators said the bank has been a major source of financing for fossil fuel projects since the Paris Agreement, when governments agreed to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial level.
Fossil Free London campaigner Henry, who declined to give his surname, said: ‘Since the Paris climate agreement they have been the worst financiers of fossil fuels, with $434 billion in finance.
‘They are making billions in profits every year at a time of rising inequality, while much of the world is being devastated by the climate crisis.
‘We believe that no new investment or financing in fossil fuels should come from JP Morgan and we believe that a portion of their billions in profits should go towards loss and damage to the communities affected by climate change and provide funding for adaptation and mitigation measures.”
JP Morgan declined to comment.
Thunberg was arrested by police on Tuesday at the rally outside the InterContinental Hotel in Park Lane, where a large gathering of oil executives was taking place.
The activist, who wore a large badge reading ‘Oily Money Out’, was one of 26 people arrested at the rally
She was led to a police van as activists looked on and smiled as officers told protesters to stand back
After Tuesday’s meeting, Thunberg was charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed under Article 14 of the Public Order Act.
Officers said they asked protesters to move from the road to the sidewalk, which would have allowed them to continue protesting legally.
They said they had imposed conditions to ‘avoid inconvenience to the public’.
She was bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 15.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘We have charged 26 people following a protest outside a hotel in central London.
‘Officers responded to the protest on Tuesday morning, October 17, and imposed conditions to prevent disruption to the public.
“The demonstrators were asked to move from the road to the sidewalk so that they could continue their demonstration without violating the conditions.”
