Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been named “Antisemite of the Week” by Jewish watchdog group StopAntisemitism following her arrest at a recent anti-Israel rally. The group claims that Thunberg, who was among those detained by Danish police during a demonstration at Copenhagen University, has joined the ranks of protesters wearing keffiyehs and expressing disdain for the Jewish state.
StopAntisemitism criticized Thunberg’s activism, stating that she had transformed her environmental cause into a platform for “vile Jew-hatred.” The 21-year-old activist was arrested on September 4 while protesting with the group Students Against the Occupation, which called on Copenhagen University to sever all ties with Israel, including ending several cross-university student programs.
Among these programs is a student exchange program dedicated to Thunberg’s signature cause – fighting climate change. StopAntisemitism founder Liora Rez expressed disappointment in Thunberg’s anti-Israel stance, despite the fact that Israel is a global leader in tackling climate disasters and providing aid during crises worldwide.
Rez accused Thunberg of siding with “homicidal terrorist enemies” of Israel while neglecting the country’s efforts to fight climate change. The activist has attended multiple anti-Israel demonstrations since Hamas’ attack on October 7, calling for Stockholm University administration to sever all ties with Israel.
Thunberg’s arrest at Copenhagen University followed a similar incident at Stockholm University in May, where she was also removed by police. She later posted a photo of herself holding a sign reading “Stand with Gaza” alongside a toy octopus, which some saw as an allusion to Nazi antisemitic propaganda depicting Judaism’s supposed network of control over the world.
Thunberg, who is autistic, later removed the photo and claimed she was unaware of the historical use of antisemitic octopus imagery and clarified that the toy represented her emotions. Despite this incident, Thunberg continues to champion Hamas leaders who openly call for genocide, raising questions about her commitment to humanitarian causes.
