Swedish climate activist after her deportation from Israeli prisons: ‘What is happening in Gaza is genocide’
SWEDEN, Oct. 06 (YPA) – Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, described the situation in the Gaza Strip as a genocide being committed before the eyes of the world, accusing the international community of betraying the Palestinian people through its silence and inability to stop the ongoing aggression for two years.
In her first statements since her deportation from Israeli prisons for participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was heading to break the siege of Gaza, Thunberg said at a press conference in Stockholm, “Our leaders do not represent us as long as they do not stop the war in Gaza.” She asserted that “Israel has violated international law once again by preventing the Sumud Flotilla from reaching Gaza and continuing to starve the residents of the besieged Strip.”
“The international community is betraying the Palestinians in Gaza,” Thunberg added. “Every day, children and women are being killed while the world watches.”
She continued, “What we are doing is the bare minimum for Gaza. We are not heroes. All we have done is try to respond to the call of its people to break the siege and deliver aid.”
The Swedish activist confirmed that she and her flotilla mates were subjected to torture and physical and psychological abuse while being detained in Israeli prisons,” adding, “I could go on for a very long time about the insults, beatings, and threats we faced. They treated us like criminals because we just wanted to deliver food and medicine to Gaza.”
Thunberg pointed out that the Sumud Flotilla was a peaceful, civil attempt to fulfill the role that governments have failed to play in breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza for nearly 18 years. She considered the silence of Western countries regarding the ongoing bombing and famine a moral disgrace and political complicity.
She concluded by saying, “Our so-called leaders still support genocide, death, and destruction in Gaza, but the people are beginning to realize the truth. We will not be silent, and we will continue the struggle for justice, peace, and freedom for the Palestinians.”
Thunberg’s statement comes days after Israeli occupation forces attacked the Sumud Flotilla ships in international waters, detaining hundreds of international activists who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This incident sparked widespread condemnation and accusations that Israel violated international law and human rights.
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