Greta Thunberg's Pro-Palestinian Post Erupts Row Over Anti-Semitic Symbol (image: twitter/Ana M. Fuentes)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg sparked a row over her pro-palestinian post presenting an alleged anti-Semitic symbol. The criticism prompted her to delete the post.
The 20-year-old on her official page on X, shared a photo of her holding a placard saying “Stand With Gaza.” In the picture, a stuffed blue octopus near her has caused the widespread criticism.
Even #GretaThunberg supports #Palestine. She”s reportedly getting kicked out of the globalist #WEF; #KlausSchwab is furious w/her.👇
Greta calls #Israel “a murderous den of vipers.”
Out of the mouth of babes, as the saying goes. #NetanyahuWarCriminal #IDF stop #Gazabombing👇 pic.twitter.com/zsG75J8u6V— Ana M. Fuentes (@FearlessFriends) October 23, 2023
The use of octopus as a symbol and imagery in the context of anti-semitic propaganda and rhetoric traces back to late 19th and early 20th century. Employed in conspiracy theories, the symbol indicates as Jewish control or manipulation over different aspects of the society or politics. The posters, and offensive cartoons depicting Jews as tentacled octopus was also circulated as part of Nazi propaganda in order to fuel anti-Semitism.
After deleting the controversial post, Ms Thunberg replaced it with a similar photo but with 4 people carrying placards and messages written are, “Free Palestine,” and “This Jew Stands with Palestine,” “Stand With Gaza,” and “Climate Justice Now,” respectively.
In the caption she wrote: “Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.”
It has come to my knowledge that the stuffed animal shown in my earlier post can be interpreted as a symbol for antisemitism, which I was completely unaware of. The toy in the picture is a tool often used by autistic people as a way to communicate feelings.
We are of course…
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 20, 2023
In the follow-up post, she wrote a clarification stating she was “completely unaware” of the antisemitism reference alluded to the blue octopus in the previous picture. For her, the toy known as a tool often used by autistic people to communicate their feelings. Ms Thunberg then added that they are “against any type of discrimination, and condemn antisemitism in all forms and shapes. This is non-negotiable.”
