In a world where deportations have become the new rock concerts of international politics, make way for another headliner: Greta Thunberg. Not a household name like some of the Hollywood types threatening to move to Canada every election cycle, but Thunberg certainly puts on quite the show. Recently booted out of Israel, Greta made her entrance into Greece where she was greeted like a hero by fans shouting “Free Palestine,” which probably beats any welcome party at your local airport.
Now, here’s the story: Greta, a sprightly 22-year-old activist, attempted to sail into a conflict zone. That’s right, she breezed into an area that’s practically the opposite of a vacation spot. Unfortunately for Greta, the metaphorical Welcome to the War Zone sign led to a swift deportation from Israel. According to her accounts and those of other activists, the conditions were harsh as they reported being detained in a maximum security prison with no rule of law. It was a far cry from summer camp conditions.
Upon her arrival in Athens, Greta was greeted by a group of enthusiastic well-wishers. Think of it like fans waiting for their favorite band, except the band is really just one person holding a statement and some flowers. Amid chants of “Long live the flotilla,” she sauntered through the airport looking every bit the part of a modern-day Joan of Arc minus the armor.
But that’s only half of the picture. Her flotilla crew included a medley of activists, lawyers, and journalists. In all fairness, their inclusion might puzzle anyone imagining what folks in an active conflict zone might genuinely need. Instead of nutritionists, doctors, or bricklayers, they opted for the people most likely to pen pal with the United Nations.
In a grand twist of events, the question still lingers whether allowing Greta and the gang to achieve their desired destination could yield some unexpected results. It’s one thing to fill social media feeds with protests, but witnessing the reality on the ground could serve up a dish of cold, hard facts. As they say, be careful what you campaign for—you might just reach there. Until then, our protagonist is safely cheering from the sidelines, ever ready for the next headline-grabbing adventure.
