She wrote: “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 stop the genocide in gaza.
“I believe activism is as diverse as humans are . i support magga stína and greta in wanting to open a path to gaza for international aid . it is illegal to hinder that food arrives to starving children.”
Björk added: “Iceland recognised palestine as a country in 2014 . we know after being a colony for 600 years what it feels like to be suppressed . i ask icelandic authorities to follow their own support for palestine 11 years ago , to stop business interactions with israel until the genocide in gaza stops and fight for magga stína’s safe return.”
She also shared a lengthy appeal from Stína’s family to the Icelandic government “to use all their power to ensure that the Israeli authorities immediately release her, as well as the other members of the Freedom Flotilla crew.”
They added: “Our family and friends of Magga Stína are naturally very concerned about the progress of the case. Especially considering the treatment she is likely to receive at the hands of the Israeli army.”
It comes after environmental activist Greta Thunberg was recently detained, after Israeli forces intercepted at least 39 vessels and held dozens of crew members on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to break Israel’s illegal blockade and deliver essential humanitarian aid to the occupied Gaza Strip, amidst the ongoing genocide.
Thunberg claimed to Swedish officials that she was being subjected to “harsh treatment” after being abducted in international waters and illegally detained in an Israeli prison, according to correspondence seen by the Guardian.
In an email seen by the publication, an official who visited her in prison claimed she was detained in a cell infested with bedbugs and with too little food and water.
The Israeli foreign ministry rejected as “fake news” accusations that the activists were mistreated and denied basic rights while in detention, according to BBC News.
Thunberg has since been deported to Greece where she raised her fist as she was presented with flowers and cheered by dozens of supporters who had gathered at Athens airport.