Björk has called on the Icelandic government to fight for the release of fellow musician and childhood friend Magga Stína, who has been detained by Israeli forces.
Art-pop singer Björk has issued a rare public statement, calling on the Icelandic government to fight for the release of Magga Stína, who Björk says has been kidnapped by Israeli forces after being detained by Israeli forces during a humanitarian mission to Gaza on Tuesday (October 7).
Over the last week, Israel has illegally detained more than 450 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were en route to deliver medical aid, food, and water to civilians in Gaza. All 40 boats would be intercepted by Israel as they neared Gaza, blocking aid from reaching the state.
Following the capture, nine more boats would set sail; however would also be intercepted nearing their end destination. Stína, the first Icelandic person to join the flotilla, would be on one of these nine vessels.
Björk would later issue a statement online via her Instagram, calling on the Icelandic government to put pressure on Israel to release Stína.
“My childhood friend, musician Magga Stína, has just been kidnapped by the Israeli army,” Björk wrote.
“She sailed on a boat following Greta Thunberg in trying to open the path for international aid to Gaza. I believe activism is as diverse as humans are. I support Magga Stína and Greta doing everything possible to try to stop the genocide in Palestine.”
The artist would also note Iceland’s history of support for Palestine, noting how the country recognised a Palestinian state in 2014. “Even though we are few, our voice matters,” Björk adds.
“We can continue to set an example of having the courage to rise up against oppression and represent peace,” she continued. “It is illegal to starve people and hinder the food from arriving at children.”
Björk would further urge Icelandic authorities to “follow their own support for Palestine 11 years ago”, and stop all business interactions with Israel until the “genocide in Gaza stops”.
“In the same spirit, I ask all the world to bring every single nation’s hostage home,” she added, calling for Magga’s “safe return” home.
Last week, Björk joined the No Music For Genocide movement, removing her discography from streaming services in Israel via geo-blocking. The initiative has seen over 1000 artists such as Hayley Williams, Lorde, Massive Attack and more join in their boycott of the nation,
You can read her full statement below.
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