STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Greta Thunberg deleted her pro-Gaza post after she received backlash for allegedly featuring an "antisemitic" octopus stuffed toy in her photo, but the Internet didn't seem to calm down even after she explained the reason behind having the plushie.
The Swedish climate activist recently took to social media to share a photo of herself holding a "Stand with Gaza" sign. The picture also featured three of her friends holding placards reading "Free Palestine," "This Jew Stands with Palestine," and "Climate Justice Now!"
However, netizens were quick to point out that the picture contained a blue-colored plushie octopus, which is apparently similar to a symbol that has been considered antisemitic since artist Seppla (Josef Plank) created a cartoon in1938, showing a blue-colored octopus with tentacles encircling the globe with a Star of David atop its head.
As per the Anti-Semitism Policy Trust, the cartoon was a depiction of the antisemitic theory of Jewish control over the world.
Internet remains angry over Greta Thunberg having an octopus plushie in her pro-Gaza post
Despite deleting the original image, social media users continued to slam Greta Thunberg for featuring an "antisemitic" octopus plushie in her pro-Gaza post, especially on X (formerly Twitter).
"to late the internet has it lmao," wrote one user, while another added, "Too late. Don’t care. We know who and what she is."
"This is what happens when you use a child to promote a faux climate crisis and she gets older. There are some geopolitical factors you need to know before picking a new crisis," stated a person.
A user mocked, "'completely unaware' The perfect description for her position on literally anything."
"how many photos of her have you seen prior to this one with an octopus or anything similar to that ? she’s shot photos from her bedroom to beaches , if she’s anxious amongst people and in situations as she states, and this de stresses her, no way," pointed out one more.
A person expressed, "Think about this, Greta Thunberg and her friends went out, bought an aquamarine octopus stuffed animal for their big Instagram photo shoot. Carefully placed it casually next to her thinking they’re being cheeky and no one would notice in the era of the internet.."
"I mean it’s an older antisemitic trope, not as well know as say… a New York Times reporter screaming his love of Hitler. But people were gonna wonder WTF that thing was and why it was there. They’re going to ask their friends, Google it or whatever. But they’re going to wonder," explained another user.
A person mentioned, "So Greta Thunberg 'accidentally' decided to use a stuffed toy of an Octopus behind her sign when she virtue signals standing with Gaza (and even finding a token Jew to make picture more relatable) Then she back paddled realizing that Octopus is a Nazi code symbol for Jews."
"#GretaThunberg show us a past picture where you appeared with your #antisemite toys and we may believe you. The angry octopus is a well known nazi stereotype since 1938. Ignorance is not excuse #NeverForget. SHAME ON YOU," asserted one.
Another added, "Notice how she cropped the original photo she posted on Facebook just like below Note the minimalist photo with a sofa, people, and signs. The only object, prominently placed, is a blue octopus, alluding to this notorious antisemitic propaganda of a Nazi cartoon from 1938."
Greta Thunberg says octopus toys are used by autistic people as a tool to communicate feelings
Greta Thunberg's initial pro-Gaza post featuring the octopus plushie read, "Week 270. Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected."
Following the controversy surrounding the toy featured in her photo, the 20-year-old deleted her original post and reposted a similar photo minus the octopus toy with the same caption.
Thunberg then went on to explain, "It has come to my knowledge that the stuffed animal shown in my earlier post can be interpreted as a symbol for antisemitism, which I was completely unaware of."
"The toy in the picture is a tool often used by autistic people as a way to communicate feelings," she added.
"We are of course against any type of discrimination, and condemn antisemitism in all forms and shapes. This is non-negotiable. That is why I deleted the last post," concluded the activist.
Netizens remained unconvinced over Great Thunberg's explanation
Even though Greta Thunberg posted a new picture without the blue octopus and provided an explanation regarding its use in the first image, the Internet seemed to remain skeptical.
"Yeah right," mocked one, attaching the original picture, while another dubbed her a "Liar."
"That should be the least of your concerns. You say you are against antisemitism, yet you can’t say a word to condemn Hamas or express solidarity for the 1,400 people - including children - they have slaughtered. You have a platform. Use it responsibly," wrote a person.
A user opined, "I take back my comment about what a stuffed animal has to do with anti-Semitism. There's no way that an octopus of all things just happened to be placed on her knee in the right way without it being intentional. This was completely intentional and any excuse to deny it is BS."
"So in all the posts you made on social media over the years, while you were autistic you have never featured it, but on the post criticising Israel it suddenly appears? I don't believe you," remarked another.
"Imagine what else you don’t know despite the strong opinions you have on so many issues. Also, your explanation as to how the octopus stuffie was specifically propped up for this specific photo on this specific issue is spurious, at best," expressed one.
