Greta Thunberg's Activism Was Never About the Climate

What’s happening: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg showed up in Malmö, Sweden, to protest an Israeli singer for being allowed to take part in the annual Eurovision music competition.

• Context: Israel has competed in Eurovision over 45 times and most recently won the competition in 2018. Now, the 20-year-old Eden Golan’s mere presence in the semi-finals has stirred up over 10,000 pro-Palestine demonstrators just miles from the competition venue.

• October Rain: Eden Golan previously sang a track called “October Rain” which many believe to be a reference to the October 7 massacre in Israel.

Familiar words: Greta Thunberg accused Israel of “artwashing” its reputation by platforming Golan. She went on to assert the familiar accusations against Israel, “The world cannot remain silent in a genocide. Everyone who can must use their voice and speak up against Israel’s crimes and occupation.”

Antisemitism allegations: Less than two weeks after Hamas stormed into southern Israel and slaughtered 1,200 innocent men, women, and children, Thunberg posted a picture of her holding a “Stand with Gaza” sign. The original photo had a picture of a stuffed octopus doll, which some believed was a reference to 20th-century Nazi propaganda.

• More: Just one month after Thunberg posted that picture, she joined a pro-Palestine demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, and was seen chanting, “Crush Zionism!”

Why it matters: Thunberg has over 20 million followers across social media, was Time’s Person of the Year in 2019, and has garnered worldwide attention for her activism. Although she began as a climate change activist, she has since embraced left-wing economic, racial, and now geopolitical causes.