Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg stirred controversy after being filmed at a pro-Palestinian rally in Mannheim, Germany, on December 6.
During the event, hosted by the group Zaytouna Rhein-Neckar, she was seen laughing and addressing the crowd. While audio evidence regarding her alleged “Fuck Germany” remark remains unclear, her statement against Israel was distinctly audible.
The rally, attended by 700 people, centered on “solidarity with Palestine and the climate movement.” Protesters chanted slogans like “From the river to the sea – Palestine will be free.” Thunberg urged urgency, saying, “We cannot wait, not on the subject of Palestine and not on climate change,” and referred to events in Gaza as “genocide.” She denied being anti-Semitic but called for action, saying, “If you want a change, you have to stand up.”
Her comments drew sharp criticism. The Christian Democrats (CDU) in Baden-Württemberg accused her of edging dangerously close to anti-Semitism. Fridays For Future (FFF), the student climate movement Thunberg helped spearhead, distanced itself, stating, “This is not our action.”
Controversial activist Hasan Özbay, known for incendiary statements about Israel, also attended the rally. Zaytouna Rhein-Neckar defended the protest, dismissing criticism as attempts to “delegitimize” their efforts.
The protest venue, Mannheim’s city square, holds tragic significance, as it was the site of a fatal Islamist terror stabbing in May, which led to stricter German migration policies.
