Criticism of Thunberg's participation in pro-Palestine demonstration

The head of the Central Council of Jews and the German government's anti-Semitism commissioner have criticized the participation of climate activist Greta Thunberg in a solidarity campaign for Palestinians in Leipzig. "Greta Thunberg has made a good name for herself as a climate activist and has addressed an important issue - so I understand her statements all the less now," said Central Council head Josef Schuster to Welt TV on Thursday. Her statements, which ultimately lack any basis and are false, are of absolutely no benefit to the climate movement. Rather, she is damaging the climate movement, but also her own image.

The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, also told Welt TV that Greta Thunberg was making herself untrustworthy and dismantling herself. "Actually, the concern to strengthen climate protection should be enough, and the activities, the hatred of Israel that Ms. Thunberg is spreading is unacceptable." He welcomes the fact that the German climate protection movement is distancing itself from Thunberg's behavior.

According to police reports, Thunberg spent some time at a demonstration in Leipzig's city centre on Wednesday evening and gave a short speech. Around 200 people took part in the registered demonstration. Thunberg and other members of the Swedish branch of the climate protection group Fridays for Future had accused Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip in December. At the same time, the group condemned anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents in Sweden.