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Top US senator derides Greta Thunberg’s attempt to break Israel’s Gaza siege
We have a reaction from Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, to the Swedish activist who joined an effort led by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to break Israel’s naval siege on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians there.
“Hope Greta and her friends can swim,” the prominent legislator wrote on X.
The post was taken as a threat by some users on X, as the FFC’s previous attempt to break the Israeli siege was dealt a blow by drone attacks that breached their ship’s hull. Activists at the time said they believed Israel was behind the attack.
Responses to Graham’s tweet on X included users who asked, “Why would a US senator be threatening a young climate activist?” and, “Why is a 69-year-old U.S. senator joking about the drowning of a 22-year-old Swedish activist? Is this where American politics is now?”
Thunberg as well as Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham are among those joining the mission, which set sail from Italy on Sunday.
US rights group denounces senator’s ‘hope they can swim’ post
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has warned that comments by US Senator Lindsey Graham about the aid flotilla heading for Gaza could signal “a green light” for Israel to attack the activists’ vessel.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham are among those joining the mission, which set sail from Italy to break Israel’s blockade.
On Sunday, Graham wrote on X: “Hope Greta and her friends can swim.” CAIR called his remarks “both inhumane and reckless”.
“By mocking peaceful, unarmed civilians risking their lives to deliver humanitarian aid, he is dehumanizing them and potentially signaling US sanction for Israel to repeat its past deadly state terrorism attacks on flotilla ships,” said Robert S McCaw, CAIR’s director of government affairs.
“These are not enemies, they are volunteers risking their lives. If Senator Graham has any sense of decency he should retract his statement and make clear that the United States does not condone violence against peaceful human rights defenders.”
