Reports Greta Thunberg left the leadership of global flottila over of internal disagreements
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Climate activist Greta Thunberg has stepped down from the steering committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a mission seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing disagreements over the group’s internal direction.
Italian newspaper Il Manifesto reported that the 22-year-old Swedish activist left the leadership over concerns that the mission’s communication had focused too heavily on internal issues rather than the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“We all have a role: mine will not be on the steering committee, but as an organizer and participant,” Thunberg said.
Thunberg departed the ship Family, where she had been traveling with other board members, and joined the Alma, another main vessel in the flotilla. She remains on board as an organizer and participant, despite no longer holding a leadership position.
Her decision prompted conflicting interpretations among fellow activists. Tony La Piccirella, a flotilla participant, disputed the Il Manifesto report, telling the Italian news agency statements that only Thunberg knows her reasons.
“There is a steering committee that makes technical and strategic decisions. Greta does not want to be part of it and she knows why,” he said. “Anyway, she is on the Alma, which is one of the two main ships, and she continues to support the mission.” He denied claims that she left over insufficient focus on Palestine.
The flotilla, made up of about 40 ships, departed Barcelona on Aug. 31 and is sailing in international waters off Italy on its way to Gaza.
