Greta Thunberg reiterates support for Palestinians after criticism

The Swedish branch of climate movement Fridays for Future (FFF), best known for activist Greta Thunberg, on Tuesday reiterated its support for Palestinians following criticism of its stance on Israel's war on Gaza.

At the end of October, several politicians in Germany urged the German branch of the movement to cut ties with its international branch over its and Thunberg's outspoken pro-Palestinian remarks.

"Contrary to what many have claimed, Fridays for Future has not 'been radicalised' or 'become political'," FFF Sweden wrote in op-eds published in Swedish daily Aftonbladet and British newspaper The Guardian.

Greta Thunberg stands with Palestine 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/ZlfsMkZwJp

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"We have always been political, because we have always been a movement for justice."

"Advocating for climate justice fundamentally comes from a place of caring about people and their human rights," it wrote."That means speaking up when people suffer, are forced to flee their homes or are killed - regardless of the cause."

"Standing in solidarity with Palestinians and all affected civilians has never been in question for us," it added.

Fridays for Future's international group has blasted the genocide in Gaza, and slammed "Western support and misinformation machines".

FFF Sweden wrote on Tuesday that "the horrific murders of Israeli civilians by Hamas cannot in any way legitimise Israel's ongoing war crimes."

"Genocide is not self-defence, nor is it in any way a proportionate response," it said.

Israel has indiscriminately bombed the Gaza Strip for nearly two months, following a surprise Hamas attack on 7 October which killed nearly 1,200 Israelis.

It has killed over 15,900 people, around 70 percent of them women and children, targeting hospitals and schools where civilians were sheltering and turning the north of the Palestinian territory into a wasteland.

The FFF movement also condemned a "sharp increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic statements, actions and hate crimes in Sweden and the world", stressing the need "to distinguish between Hamas, Muslims and Palestinians; and between the state of Israel, Jewish people and Israelis."