FACT CHECK: Greta Thunberg Did Not Hold Sign With Expletive
A viral image shared on X purports to show Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg holding a sign that reads, “F–k Israel.”
— Fuck Israel Meter (@FuckIsrEveryHr) November 11, 2024
Verdict: False
A content detection scan using the website “TrueMedia.org” reveals the image has been digitally manipulated. According to India Today, the original image shows Thunberg holding a “Stand With Gaza” sign.
Fact Check:
Thunberg attended a recent rally in Georgia to protest Azerbaijan hosting the United Nations’ annual climate talks, according to The Associated Press. Thunberg accused Azerbaijan of a “repressive, occupying state, which has committed ethnic cleansing” and said “we can’t give them any legitimacy in this situation,” the outlet reported.
The X image, viewed over one million times as of writing, purports to show Thunberg holding a sign that reads, “F–k Israel.”
The claim is false. A content detection scan using the website “TrueMedia.org” reveals the image shows “substantial evidence of manipulation.”
Likewise, the original image shows Thunberg holding a “Stand With Gaza” sign, according to India Today. The photo can be seen on Thunberg’s verified X account.
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.#FreePalestine #IStandWithPalestine #StandWithGaza #FridaysForFuture
Thread🧵 pic.twitter.com/0hVtya0yWO— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 20, 2023
Thunberg had also posted another photo of her holding the pro-Gaza sign, which featured a stuffed octopus toy in the background, but later deleted it after the toy was interpreted as an anti-semitic symbol, India Today reported. (RELATED: No, Video Does Not Show Dutch People Celebrating Recent Attacks Against Israelis)
In addition, Check Your Fact did not find the viral X image referenced in any recent credible news reports about Thunberg. Actually, the opposite is true. On Nov. 14, Snopes debunked the claim, indicating it had been digitally manipulated.
Furthermore, Thunberg does not appear to have referenced the viral X image on any of her verified social media accounts.
Check Your Fact has contacted Thunberg via Greta Thunberg Media for comment.
