FACT CHECK: Did Greta Thunberg Hold Anti-Semitic Sign?

A post shared on social media purportedly shows an image of climate activist Greta Thunberg holding an anti-Semitic sign.

Smash or pass? pic.twitter.com/G8zISK9IiD

— 1984 (@TheOfficial1984) November 25, 2024

Verdict: False

The image was edited.

Fact Check:

A ceasefire agreement is in the works between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon after 14 months of hostility, The Associated Press reported. Civilians are returning to southern Lebanon as the initial deal stops fighting for two months, according to the outlet.

A post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, purportedly shows an image of Thunberg with an anti-Semitic sign. The alleged photo shows her holding a sign that reads, “6 million wasn’t enough” and a Palestinian flag.

The claim is inaccurate. The image was edited to show her holding this sign. The post was taken down, but Lead Stories‘s debunked of the claim  included a link to an archived version of the tweet. The original image shows Thunberg holding a sign that reads “Stand With Gaza.”

The photo was controversial with some people claiming the presence of an octopus is anti-Semitic due to it being used in propaganda, New York Post reported. Once Thunberg was aware, she uploaded a similar image with no octopus. (RELATED: Photo Shows Leonardo DiCaprio With His Niece, Not Greta Thunberg)

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 responded to the comments about the stuffed animal saying she was unaware of the connection to antisemitism. She wrote in part, “The toy in the picture is a tool often used by autistic people as a way to communicate feelings. We are of course against any type of discrimination, and condemn antisemitism in all forms and shapes.”

It has come to my knowledge that the stuffed animal shown in my earlier post can be interpreted as a symbol for antisemitism, which I was completely unaware of. The toy in the picture is a tool often used by autistic people as a way to communicate feelings.

We are of course…

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 20, 2023

This is not the first time an image of an edited Thunberg sign has circulated online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim the climate activist held a sign that reads “F**k Israel.”