Björk releases statement calling for the release of childhood friend “kidnapped by the Israeli army”
Björk has taken to social media to express her exasperation at the current situation in Gaza, sharing that her childhood friend has been “kidnapped by the Israeli army”.
Within the last week, pro-Palestinian activists were detained when Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla attempting to breach a naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid. The Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg was released with 170 other activists, but some were not so lucky.
Björk shared her reaction to the news in a social media statement, writing, “My childhood friend, musician Magga Stína has just been kidnapped by the Israeli army. She sailed on a boat following Greta Thunberg in trying to open the path for international aid to Gaza.”
The post continued, “I believe activism is as diverse as humans are. I support Magga Stína and Greta doing everything possible to try to stop the genocide in Palestine. It is illegal to starve people and hinder that food arrives to children.”
Her statement added, “Iceland has been first in recognsing many small nation’s independence. We supported Palestine as a country in 2014. We know, after being a colony for 600 years, what it feels like to be suppressed. Even though we are few, our voice matters and we can continue to set an example of having the courage to rise up against oppression and represent peace.”
The avant-garde singer then urged Icelandic authorities to “follow their own support for Palestine 11 years ago, to stop all business interactions with Israel until the genocide in Gaza stops and fight for Magga Stína’s safe return.”
Signing off with “warmthness,” she concluded, “And in the same spirit: I ask all the world to bring every single nations hostage home.”
Björk also recently joined No Music for Genocide, a cultural boycott initiative that asks artists and rights-holders to pull their music from streaming platforms in Israel.
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