Israel Deports Greta Thunberg and Gaza Flotilla Activists

Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg, born January 3, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden, is a Swedish environmental activist renowned for her leadership in the global movement to combat climate change. She rose to international prominence in 2018 when, at age 15, she began striking from school every Friday to protest outside the Swedish Parliament, demanding stronger climate action. This initiative sparked the worldwide "Fridays for Future" movement, inspiring millions of young people to engage in climate activism globally. Thunberg’s activism focuses on urging governments and leaders to take urgent and meaningful steps to reduce carbon emissions and adhere strictly to the Paris Agreement goals. Her direct and science-based approach has made her a prominent figure addressing international forums, including the United Nations. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize consecutively from 2019 to 2023. Raised in an artistic family—her mother is opera singer Malena Ernman and her father actor Svante Thunberg—Greta was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, which she has described as her "superpower" for its role in her focused activism. From a young age, she adopted a vegan lifestyle and sought to reduce her carbon footprint by influencing her family’s choices, such as avoiding air travel. Beyond climate change, Thunberg has expanded her advocacy to include human rights and global justice issues, voicing support for causes like Ukraine and Palestine. In 2025, she participated in humanitarian efforts, including joining flotillas to the Gaza Strip. Thunberg’s influence, often called the "Greta effect," has significantly shaped public discourse on climate change and youth engagement worldwide, earning her numerous honors including Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2019[1][3][4][6].