Greta Thunberg arrested in Denmark

The Swedish left-wing extremist Greta Thunberg was arrested on Wednesday morning at the University of Copenhagen. Thunberg and other activists demand an ”academic boycott” against Israel. Samnytt has interviewed the Israeli lecturer Liora Sion who is employed by the university.
– In this case, I don’t really understand what she wants, says Sion about Greta Thunberg.

The background to the arrest is that Palestine activists in the organization ”Students Against Occupation” in May this year initiated a tent demonstration at the University of Copenhagen. They call the tent camp ”Rafah garden”.

The purpose is initially to protest against Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, but also to persuade the university to stop investing in companies with operations in ”illegal settlements”.

More demands

After a few weeks of protests, the university management agrees to the demands. Investments in the three companies Airbnb, Booking.com, and eDreams ODIGEO are terminated. Travel-related companies, all accused of having operations related to occupied Palestinian areas.

But the demonstrators are not satisfied. In the next phase, they demand that the university cancels all academic cooperation with Israel. They demand an ”academic boycott”.

READ ALSO: Greta Thunberg fined again

These are demands that the university management, however, does not agree to. Therefore, the Palestine activists’ protests have intensified over the summer and become increasingly militant.

On Wednesday morning, several activists break into the rectorate – the university management’s administrative building. They block the entrance and prevent employees from entering their workplace in the morning.

Greta arrested

One of those participating in the occupation of the rectorate is the Swedish multiple-time convicted left-wing extremist Greta Thunberg. Formerly known for her climate activism, now equally engaged in the Palestinian struggle.

Police are called, forcibly enter the barricaded building, and remove about twenty activists. Greta Thunberg and five other more militant extremists are arrested.

The Copenhagen police write on the social media X that the six arrested, including Greta Thunberg, are now suspected of trespassing.

It is a crime that in Denmark carries fines or up to six months in prison, but under special circumstances can be punished with up to six years in prison.

Israeli lecturer

Liora Sion is a lecturer at the Institute for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Copenhagen, where she has been employed for five years.

– I am solely an Israeli citizen, she tells Samnytt.

Greta Thunberg and Liora Sion. Photo: Instagram/Academia

The Israeli lecturer does not know what Greta Thunberg means by her demand for an ”academic boycott” against Israel, but hopes it is not directed at her as a university employee because of her nationality.

– I think many of her actions are quite vague. I appreciate her work for the environment, but in this case, I don’t really understand what she wants, says Sion about Greta Thunberg.

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Boycott China?

Liora Sion explains that she is opposed to the right-wing government at home in Israel, and that she understands Greta Thunberg’s dissatisfaction with how the war in Gaza is being conducted.

– But I am not against a general boycott of Israel, she says, and wonders if Sweden has also considered boycotting, for example, China.

– If you were to boycott all countries that violate human rights, Sweden would become quite isolated, she points out.

Liora Sion emphasizes that she would like to see a ceasefire in Gaza, but that the conflict is not ”black and white” and that an academic boycott will not have the effect Greta Thunberg hopes for.

– It would only play into the hands of the radical right-wing government. They would be very happy with such a boycott. They would like to create a sense of paranoia, she says.

Good luck, Greta

Liora Sion herself has not noticed any hatred or ill will from her students, some of whom have Palestinian backgrounds, despite her being from Israel.

– We don’t have to agree, but we must respect each other, and a little compassion doesn’t hurt even if we don’t agree. Compassion for the victims of this terrible war, she says.

At the same time, she wants to wish Greta Thunberg good luck in her struggle, even though she is skeptical that she will accomplish anything with it.

– I want people to understand that the conflict is not black and white. It is much more complex. To Greta, I just want to say: good luck, if she manages to resolve the conflict. Many have tried to do so before. Hopefully, her demonstration will succeed and she will be the last to try, says Liora Sion.