As hostilities between Israel and Palestine continue to escalate, rocket sirens are going off across southern and central Israel while dozens of explosions have also been reported. The country has been embroiled in conflict over the impending eviction of dozens of Palestinians from East Jerusalem’s neighbourhood.
Over 70 Palestinians in total are set to be evicted from Sheikh Jarrah in the coming weeks to be replaced by right-wing Jewish Israelis. The Palestinians live in houses built on land that courts have ruled were owned by Jewish religious associations before the establishment of Israel in 1948.
As deadly violence continues to engulf Palestine, people across the globe have been showing their concern about the state of affairs. The hashtag #SavePalestine has been trending constantly on Twitter.
Amid such a sensitive scenario, climate activist Greta Thunberg made a statement that has gone viral and is drawing a lot of criticism.
Taking to Twitter, the 18-year-old activist wrote, “To be crystal clear: I am not “against” Israel or Palestine. Needless to say I’m against any form of violence or oppression from anyone or any part. And again – it is devastating to follow the developments in Israel and Palestine.”
To be crystal clear: I am not “against” Israel or Palestine. Needless to say I’m against any form of violence or oppression from anyone or any part. And again – it is devastating to follow the developments in Israel and Palestine.
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) May 11, 2021
The tweet is amassing a lot of criticism for being neutral during such circumstances. Many who believe that Israel is killing Palestinian by taking the land forcefully should be condemned in clear words.
Here’s what people are saying about Thunberg’s latest tweet. Have a look.
Greta, you can take some time to look into BDS and ask those around you about the occupation and settler colonialism. You'll find a project tied to imperialism, that is also destroying the planet. It's ok to take time to look into it before tweeting failed attempts at neutrality. https://t.co/2vHu9pAybM
— Sabrina Fernandes (@safbf) May 12, 2021
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor" does not only apply to the environment but also to the lives of people.
Again, environmentalism without analysis of class and the implications of imperialism is just gardening. https://t.co/pOP5aQMFBU
— Chromatica Front Desk (@tomatomatis) May 12, 2021
greta speaks of childhood being robbed due to the climate crisis yet will not stand for the lives of palestinian children stolen by apartheid.
if u are brave enough to speak at the UN against polluters, have the same courage to call out injustice in palestine. how disappointing. https://t.co/yBmq7Lb100
— freyr (@notsoaidil) May 11, 2021
Source: Free Press Journal