Lindsay Graham Under Fire for Ominous Jab at Greta Thunberg as She Heads to Gaza: ‘Deranged!’

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) prompted backlash from pro-Palestine pundits after posting a sneering jab aimed at Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is part of a flotilla seeking to bring aid to Gaza.

The Republican, an ally of President Donald Trump and vocal supporter of Israel’s war effort, responded to news of Thunberg’s voyage by posting: “Hope Greta and her friends can swim!”

The flotilla, which includes activists and aid workers, is attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies amid Israel’s months-long blockade of Gaza.

Graham’s comment, made on X, was condemned as callous and dangerous by pro-Palestine voices, like Mehdi Hasan.

Influencer Tyler Oakley argued the comments was unbecoming of a sitting U.S. senator.

The climate activist departed Sicily aboard the Madleen, a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, alongside 11 others, including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and French MEP Rima Hassan. It’s Thunberg’s second attempt to reach Gaza by sea after a previous voyage in May failed when another of the group’s vessels was allegedly attacked by two drones off the coast of Malta.

Before setting sail, Thunberg said: “The moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity… No matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the livestreamed genocide.”

Israel has dismissed genocide allegations. While it eased the blockade slightly in May, UN agencies warn Gaza still teeters on the edge of famine. The Madleen is expected to take a week to reach its destination, though the risk of interception remains high.