Criticism of Fridays for Future
Nouripour: Thunberg’s comments “damage social peace”
October 29, 2023, 4:33 a.m
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International representatives of the climate movement Fridays for Future are causing outrage with anti-Semitic statements. Green Party leader Nouripour calls this disturbing and unacceptable. He also sharply criticizes Greta Thunberg. He also calls for compassion for all victims in the Middle East.
The Green Party leader Omid Nouripour has condemned anti-Semitic content from the climate protection movement Fridays for Future on social networks. “The activists also smuggled a plush toy in the shape of an octopus into the picture,” he told the newspapers of the Funke media group, referring to a photo published on Instagram in which the well-known activist Greta Thunberg can also be seen.
“The octopus has been known as anti-Semitic symbolism for decades. Now conspiracy ideologies have been shared. These posts are disturbing and unacceptable.” Regarding Thunberg’s pro-Palestinian statements, he said: “I believe such statements damage social peace – and they hurt the many who mourn their relatives who fell victim to Hamas’ terror.”
Nouripour welcomed the fact that the German group from Fridays for Future distanced itself from this. “Our full solidarity goes out to Jews worldwide, and we strongly condemn the terror of Hamas,” activist Luisa Neubauer told the German Press Agency. “We strongly distance ourselves from the anti-Semitic posts on international channels.”
The party leader also called for empathy for Palestinian victims in the Middle East conflict. “We must have compassion for all victims. It is terrible when children suffer – regardless of whether they are Israeli or Palestinian,” said the Green Party leader. At the same time, he emphasized: “Hamas is responsible for the current situation.”
“Necessary toughness” against anti-Semitism
Nouripour called on Israel to show moderation in its war against the radical Islamic Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. “The Israelis have the right to self-defense. The principle of proportionality must apply,” he said. It is necessary to set up humanitarian corridors to provide supplies to the civilian population as quickly as possible.
The Green politician also called for the current law to be consistently implemented. “There is a criminal code and the offense of sedition,” he said. “Anyone who celebrates that people are being killed is committing a criminal offense in Germany. And from a certain level of punishment, you can lose your residence status in Germany.”
The party leader recalled the special responsibility of Germans to confront anti-Semitism with all determination and called for concrete steps, for example in educational work or the “necessary toughness” in the fight against anti-Semitism. “We must draw a clear line where freedom of expression ends and incitement begins.” In addition, more educational work about the Middle East conflict is needed. “The Palestinians are suffering massively from Hamas, which has taken control by force,” said Nouripour.
Hamas launched an unprecedented major attack on Israel on October 7th. According to Israeli information, around 1,400 people were killed. In response, Israel sealed off the Gaza Strip and launched massive airstrikes. In addition, temporary operations were initially carried out on the ground. On Friday, Israel announced an expansion of operations.