Greta Thunberg supports Hamas resistance amidst climate of hate.
Adult child activist promotes Jew hatred on social media
What happened: Greta Thunberg, the 20-year-old child activist best known for skipping school to protest so-called climate change, dabbled in anti-Semitism on Friday.
- The celebrity truant held a “Stand with Gaza” sign in a photo posted on social media, the initial version of which also included a blue octopus plush toy resembling the anti-Semitic imagery in Nazi propaganda.
- Thunberg deleted the original photo, claiming to be “completely unaware” of the common anti-Semitic trope. Nevertheless, her revised post included links to a number of so-called Palestinian activist groups that defended the Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,000 Israeli civilians earlier this month.
What they’re saying:
- One of the groups Thunberg promoted, the Palestinian Youth Movement, described the mass-murder of Israeli civilians, including children, as “the active decolonization of Palestinian land led by the Palestinian resistance” and repeated the false claim that “over 500 Palestinians were martyred after Israeli forces bombed Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.”
- Another group Thunberg urged her 14.6 million followers to consult for “information on how you can help,” the Adalah Justice Project, also accused Israel of having “bombed a hospital with U.S. funded missiles.” (Fact check: The terrorist group Islamic Jihad fired a rocket that landed in a parking lot near the hospital.)
Thunberg also promoted a German organization called Palestine Speaks that celebrated the slaughter of Israeli civilians. “We are overwhelmed,” the group wrote on October 7. “Today is a revolutionary day to be proud of. But also a historical point that gives us a sign that change is possible.”
Bottom line: Greta Thunberg should have stayed in school.
What role do influencers like Greta Thunberg have in promoting unity and tolerance, and why is it important for them to use their platform responsibly
=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>tropes associated with the imagery. She replaced it with a cropped version that removed the offensive plush toy.
Why it matters: Thunberg’s support for Hamas and her association with anti-Semitic imagery is deeply troubling. It sends a dangerous message, normalizing hatred and supporting an organization known for its terrorist activities. Hamas is responsible for numerous acts of violence against Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and incendiary balloons. The organization’s charter explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews. By aligning herself with Hamas, Thunberg is aligning herself with a terrorist group that advocates for violence and promotes hatred. This raises serious questions about her judgment and the values she promotes. The danger of normalization: Thunberg’s actions highlight the danger of normalizing hate speech and extremist ideologies. By engaging in anti-Semitic imagery and supporting a terrorist organization, she is providing legitimacy to these dangerous views. In recent years, there has been a disturbing rise in anti-Semitism around the world. Synagogues have been attacked, Jewish people have been harassed and assaulted, and online hate speech against Jews has proliferated. When public figures like Thunberg promote messages of hate, it only exacerbates the problem. It emboldens those who already hold anti-Semitic beliefs and can lead to further acts of violence and discrimination against the Jewish community. The responsibility of influencers: As an influential figure with millions of followers on social media, Thunberg has a responsibility to use her platform responsibly. She has the power to shape public opinion and influence young minds. It is important for Thunberg and other influencers to be mindful of the impact their words and actions can have. Promoting unity, tolerance, and understanding should be the goal, rather than spreading divisive and hateful ideologies. The need for dialogue: In order to combat the rise of hate speech and extremist ideologies, it is crucial to promote open and honest dialogue. This means listening to different perspectives and challenging our own assumptions. Thunberg’s actions serve as a reminder that even those who are seen as champions for a cause can fall prey to divisive and harmful rhetoric. It is our responsibility as a society to hold individuals accountable for their words and actions and to work towards a more inclusive and tolerant world. By addressing these issues head-on and engaging in constructive dialogue, we can hope to create a society that rejects hate and embraces acceptance.
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