The humanitarian flotilla heading to Gaza carries a mission with an unusual detail: Greta Thunberg wearing a jersey from Dublin’s Bohemians football club.
The Swedish activist was seen in the light-blue shirt during a previous mission in June and again this week as boats prepared to depart from Barcelona.
However, the garment does not necessarily reflect an interest in football or direct support for the club, which currently sits second in Ireland’s top league. The jersey is a special release intended to generate funds and solidarity for Gaza.
Bohemians, often called Bohs, partnered with Dublin band Fontaines DC to create the shirt. It blends Irish and Palestinian symbols and has raised over €200,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian group.
An experienced Irish activist, Caoimhe Butterly, gave Thunberg the shirt aboard the June flotilla. Israeli forces stopped the boats before they could reach the besieged Palestinian territory, where tens of thousands have died and famine has taken hold.
Thunberg wore the shirt again in interviews before the current flotilla set off on Monday after weather-related delays. Following a stop in Tunis, the flotilla aims to continue its journey and attempt to bypass the Israeli blockade.
“Supporting Palestinians amid Israel’s attacks is deeply important to many of our members and fans, and we appreciate seeing the club represented in this small way by Greta wearing our jersey on the flotilla,” Bohemians said in a statement.
“We admire Greta and all those aboard for their bravery in defending Palestinian rights and dignity in the face of extraordinary brutality.”
Israel denies accusations of genocide, stating its campaign in Gaza is aimed at rescuing hostages and defeating Hamas, which killed around 1,200 people in an attack last October. Recently, a prominent association of genocide scholars declared Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal criteria for the crime. The UN secretary-general has described the famine there as “man-made.”
Thunberg’s choice of attire has pleased Irish activists and may reinforce Israeli views that Ireland—its government, cultural figures, and certain institutions—holds opposition toward the state.
Bohemians, a supporter-owned club, has become known for its advocacy, supporting marginalized groups in Ireland as well as Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Last year, it played a friendly match against the Palestinian women’s national team at its home ground.
Fontaines DC, like Irish rap group Kneecap, has faced criticism for protesting against Israel during performances. The band previously designed a limited-edition shirt with Bohemians to support a sports initiative in the West Bank.
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