Today, Greta Thunberg deleted a pro-Palestine social media post after thousands of people pointed out that a stuffed octopus in the photo could be considered an “anti-Semitic” symbol, although the activist said the toy helps her with her autism.
The 20-year-old wrote: “Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world must raise its voice and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice, and freedom for Palestinians and all affected civilians.” While many criticized her for not condemning Hamas attacks on Israel, others questioned why the image featured her with three other activists and a blue octopus, calling it an “anti-Semitic theme.”
What Was Greta Thunberg’s Response?
Following the accusations on social media, Greta Thunberg removed the original photo and replaced it with one in which the octopus was cropped out. The activist accompanied the image with a message to clarify what happened.
“I have come to learn that the stuffed animal shown in my previous post can be interpreted as a symbol of anti-Semitism, which I was completely unaware of. The toy in the image is a tool often used by autistic people to communicate their feelings. We are against any form of discrimination and condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms and manifestations. This is non-negotiable. That is why I removed the last post.”
Who Is Greta Thunberg?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who gained international recognition for her fight against climate change. She was born on January 3, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden. Her popularity began in August 2018 when, just 15 years old, she started a school strike outside the Swedish parliament to demand stronger action against climate change.
Greta Thunberg has been noted for her clear and direct speech, demanding world leaders to take concrete action to address the climate crisis. Her activism has inspired millions of young people around the world to join the school climate strike movement, known as Fridays for Future.
Thunberg has spoken at numerous international conferences, including the United Nations Climate Summit, where her speech focused on the urgency of the climate crisis had a historic impact. Her efforts have led her to become one of the great symbols worldwide in the fight against climate change, and she has received numerous awards and recognition for her activism, including being named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2019.
This story was written in Spanish by Miguel Fernández in Cultura Colectiva
