"Mediterranean PR Show: Greta Thunberg Both Fired Herself and Helped Israel — While Leaving Palestinians Aside"

"The Eco Baby" Profits from Staged Photoshoots

Author: Svetlana Gomzhikova

Picture shows Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg arriving at Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport, having transited through Israel.

Commentary guests: Alexander Kamkin, Stanislav Tarasov

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and her 11 companions attempted to "open a humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza" aboard the yacht "Madleen," but their plan failed. The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that on June 10, Thunberg was expelled (transiting through France back to Sweden), and her companions will also be repatriated soon.

The Israeli side previously stated that all passengers aboard this yacht, which had been jokingly referred to by Israeli diplomats as the "selfie yacht" and carried Palestinian activists, were taken to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night. They would depart for their home countries within "hours." The Foreign Ministry added that if anyone refused to sign the deportation documents, judicial authorities would handle forced departure matters.

Subsequently, the press office of the Israeli Foreign Ministry released a photo of Thunberg sitting in her seat on a flight to France, showing her dejected expression.

It is reported that on June 1, the "Madleen," flying the British flag, departed from the port of Catania in Sicily, attempting to break through the "illegal long-term blockade" of the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid supplies such as water filters, food, and medical equipment.

A total of 12 Palestinian activists were on board, including Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham known for Game of Thrones, and Rim Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France Unbowed.

Evidently, Israeli authorities viewed this operation as an attempt to deliberately create public resonance and incite anti-Israel sentiment against the backdrop of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

On June 8, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take "all necessary measures" to prevent the "Madleen" from reaching the Gaza coast. Ultimately, the ship failed to reach its destination.

According to Bloomberg reports, late Monday night, the Israeli Navy's 13th突击队 intercepted the ship 200 kilometers from the target location, then towed it to Ashdod Port, where all personnel were detained by authorities.

In response, Thunberg released a video statement aboard the ship, accusing Israel of "kidnapping" her and calling on friends and family to "put pressure on the Swedish government" to ensure her and other activists' swift release.

However, Stockholm did not intervene.

As for the "small amount" of humanitarian supplies seized on board, the Israeli Foreign Ministry promised to transfer them to Gaza through "regular humanitarian channels."

But what exactly happened here? Was this the real humanitarian mission that Thunberg's team failed to complete, or was this new topic just another self-promotion for the fading Swedish environmental activist?

For instance, Donald Trump expressed skepticism about Thunberg's motives, calling her "temperamental" and suggesting she attend anger management courses.

"I might agree with Trump's view — this has too much of a staged look," Political scientist and Ph.D. in History Stanislav Tarasov told Free Media, "but Israel is currently in a crisis: peace negotiations with Hamas have collapsed, and it is deeply involved in the war with Yemen (Israeli Air Force bombed Hodeidah Port yesterday), facing retaliation."

Thunberg's actions played a role in diverting attention under this background, albeit too late, primarily targeting European audiences familiar with this Swedish environmentalist.

"I think the Middle East region is indifferent to such performances," he analyzed, "this matter only has symbolic significance and is completely unrelated to the actual situation — although there is indeed a humanitarian crisis in the region. Israel's aid to Gaza residents is intermittent and restricted, leaving locals on the brink of starvation."

The United States is also mired in chaos in the negotiation process: Steve Witkop, Trump's Middle East envoy, probably lost control of the negotiation, and the U.S. is gradually losing its dominant position in the region.

The discussion returns to the solution paths for Gaza, the Palestinian issue, and the overall Middle Eastern issues.

Therefore, this "adventure" by Thunberg's team has garnered little attention in the U.S. and Europe, essentially a trivial event unworthy of being headline news.

Alexander Kamkin, associate professor at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and political scientist, pointed out that Thunberg had previously spoken in support of Palestine at protests in Sweden, the UK, Germany, and elsewhere, receiving criticism from Israeli authorities multiple times.

"But this is essentially self-promotion, and also a way to make money," he analyzed, "she and her entire activist team receive generous funding from various NGOs. In fact, I believe she is indifferent to the suffering of Gaza's Palestinians; her core goal is self-marketing and 'free-riding.'"

Evidently, this trip to Gaza was premeditated; they knowingly provoked conflicts — this is beyond doubt.

"Of course, one should applaud the IDF's 'straightforward cynicism' — forcing this vegetarian meat sandwich on her," Kamkin joked, "but she not only ate it but also didn't choke. Even her vegetarianism seems to me part of her PR strategy, nothing more than that."

The most regrettable and disgraceful thing is that she tried to self-promote by capitalizing on the suffering of Gaza's Palestinians — clearly not something commendable.

"In conclusion, this 'humanitarian voyage' is merely a link in media hype," he summarized, "the participants are essentially profiting from consuming others' suffering."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514486121821176331/

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