Donald Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham shared a shocking comment about Greta Thunberg and her fellow activists.
‘Hope Greta and her friends can swim!’ Graham posted on X alongside a report about the 22-year-old activist’s Gaza support.
Thunberg joined a flotilla of boats towards Gaza. The group of ships includes aid workers, supplies, activists and documentarians hoping to break through Israeli defences that have been patrolling the coast.
The journey is being supported by the nonprofit Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC), whose officials have admitted the aid will come in ‘limited amounts, though symbolic.
Israel has three naval patrol squadrons that have been deploying regularly to defend the Jewish nation’s coast and the shores of Gaza, each is equipped with a suite of advanced weaponry like 25mm and .50cal guns.
Brigadier General Effie Edfrin, an Israeli army spokesperson, suggested Israel may confront the boat before it reaches the shores of the Gaza Strip.
Thunberg’s response
When asked about the comment, Greta said: “We can swim just fine,” then continued to clapback at the right-wing senator.
Backlash
The Republican senator was immediately skewered for his comments and received backlash for his ‘threatening’ message.
‘A sitting United States Senator threatening a convoy full of nonviolent activists – including Greta Thunberg – with a bombing,’ former MSNBC host and journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote on X.
‘It’s difficult to describe how sociopathic, unhinged, and criminal some of the pro-Israel folks have become,’ he added.
Another user wrote: ‘Why is a 69-year-old U.S. senator joking about the drowning of a 22-year-old Swedish activist? Is this where American politics is now?’
One person wrote: “Godspeed Greta, love and respect.”
Another user wrote: “I’m truly happy for her and proud of her. If she were my daughter, I’d be incredibly proud because this is important. I find the actions of the Israelis against the Palestinians absolutely disgusting and reprehensible.”
Related: ‘We have to keep trying’: Greta Thunberg and Liam Cunningham joins flotilla to break Gaza blockade
