Online rumors can travel fast and a recent post went viral with North Korea claiming. They tied climate activist Greta Thunberg to Israel. The post reported North Korea was issuing. Ultimatum to Israel to release Greta Thunberg after she was on a flotilla taking aid to Gaza. While also stating it was ”24 hours or else” . In many scenarios the post blew up on multiple platforms with users sharing it without even checking on facts first.
It has been shown that there are no credible articles or reports that North Korea made that demand towards Israel in any form . Journalists reported that users sharing the post sourced it from satirical news posts that either were reshared. Some users assumed it was real news. To date there has been no official notice from North Korea or Israel regarding an ultimatum for hostage release. Furthermore the lack of reporting from international news coverage regarding an ultimatum is also a key component of why it’s plausible at this point. Especially when international news agencies / vaults usually report in conjunction to events with Israel.
Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg – someone who regularly garners media coverage – has been in the news for being on a flotilla of activists on their way to Gaza. The Israeli military being intercept. Resulted in a brief detention and deportation order. The incident made its way into the international news cycle. Advocates pointing to the advocacy work she has done and detractors questioning either her effectiveness or logic of advocating for attention. On their reporting on this, BBC stated she was “on the flotilla to provide aid for humanitarian relief. Border officials said it was a security incident to curb the safety of Israel.”
North Korea has been predictably bold in its statements regarding events occurring around the world but has not mentioned a word regarding Ms. Thunberg. In North Korea’s most recent update on events occurring in the world, and especially that regarding Kim Jong Un. He stated again -to the country -that the country’s nuclear capacity should be increased; Kim stated a sharpened “shield and sword” of their sovereignty should also be looked after. Al Jazeera released a statement from North Korea announcing that it would never give up its nuclear energy potential, a point they have reiterated as prongs of defiance towards international pressure, but an apparent void of a response to Thunberg or to Israel.
It is also key to acknowledge North Korea’s historical animus toward Israeli policy. A supportive relationship between the two countries does not exist, at least not in a diplomatic sense. In condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, Pyongyang has often expressed at least some support for the Palestinians. Once again, Wikipedia has reminded us that North Korea has stood in solidarity with the Palestinians in a range of international forums. This community position may have a bearing in varying degrees on what made some readers find the false ultimatum credible.
The truth is that the Greta Thunberg rumor is a combination of misinformation and satire. The heightened urgency of the rumor’s bizarre nature may have permitted it to become widespread. But the facts do not substantiate the rumor. Social media often amplifies and perpetuates non-verified claims, and does call for readers to remain vigilant and not completely submit to confusion.
The truth is very simple. Greta Thunberg is safe, Israel is continuing to implement policy on flotillas for Palestinian aid. North Korea has not inquired about her release. Perhaps this situation might be a reminder to us all that just. Because something went “viral”, does not require it to be true. Taking the time to test fact-based news stories before reporting. Then repeating, contributes to curbing the confusion that leads to false reports of news.
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