Climate activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Yosef Abramowitz sent a message to fellow climate activist Greta Thunberg – who is currently sailing to Gaza for the second time – from the Jerusalem Green Fund’s 10th year celebration on Wednesday.
The Jerusalem Green Fund, founded by former deputy mayor of Jerusalem Naomi Tsur, promotes environmental and economic sustainability in and around Jerusalem. The organization’s anniversary celebration provided a platform for Abramowitz to address what he sees as a fundamental misunderstanding in the climate movement’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Greta, Israel is not the enemy of the Palestinian people. The enemy of the Palestinians is your traditional nemesis: the fossil fuel industry,” he said.
“Nearly 20,000 missiles, rockets, and drones would not have been fired at Israeli civilian targets in the last two decades if not for the bankrolling of illiberal terror groups by oil and gas money from Iran and Qatar.”
Abramovitz explained that as Greta makes her way toward Israel for her third flotilla spectacle, he felt he had a special responsibility to address her directly.
“There would be no Israeli hostages if not for the bankrolling of illiberal terror groups by oil and gas money from Iran and Qatar. All wars are filled with tragedy and heartbreak and the loss of innocent lives. It is painful for all people of good conscience. Oil and gas are what power wars against Israel and undermine any hope for life-affirming, responsible, and non-violent Palestinian leadership.”
Wars are not fought over solar power the way they are over oil, he continued.
“If you truly want an end to wars and suffering in the Middle East, then end the climate of hate against Israel and the Jewish people rather than fuel it.”
Israel's impact on climate change
Abramowitz then extended Thunberg an invitation to join forces.
“Let’s end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels that fund terror and war rather than normalize and greenwash Islamic terror,” he said.
“There is no country better suited or motivated than Start-Up Nation to end the world’s dependence on the fossil fuels that fund war and terror, death and destruction.”
Abramowitz added that he and his partners have “quietly done more humanitarian good for people in Gaza using Israeli climate-tech, and with the encouragement of the Israel Defense Forces, than your flotilla ever could. “
“Greta, I was a fan of yours for many years, but you no longer deserve the Nobel Peace Prize because you are promoting a climate of hate, and therefore undermining peace and the one country that can solve the climate crisis, Israel, the Climate Nation,” he said.