Björk speaks out about childhood friend detained by Israel in Gaza aid flotilla interception

Björk has spoken out after her childhood friend and fellow Icelandic musician Magga Stína was abducted by Israeli forces while participating in an aid flotilla.

Stína, aka Margrét Kristín Blöndal, was sailing to Gaza as part of a joint mission by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG).

She was the singular Icelandic participant aboard the 'Consciousness' boat, which carried dozens of international journalists, medical professionals, politicians, fellow artists and more.

The fleet was intercepted in international waters early Wednesday morning. Israeli forces detained all 145 participants and confiscated over €94,600 worth of aid.

TMTG posted pre-recorded videos from the crews on Instagram this morning, in which they urge those watching to demand their governments take action against Israel and to bring them home.

"If you are seeing this video, we have been intercepted at sea and kidnapped by the Israeli Occupation Forces or forces of a country participating in Israel's genocide of Palestinians," said Stína in her video.

"We appeal to all of our comrades, friends and family to put pressure on the Icelandic government to demand our releases as soon as possible."

 

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At the time of writing, organisers have said the participants' whereabouts are unknown and they have not been heard from since the interception.

The news follows the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), in which all 437 activists (including at least 15 Irish citizens) were abducted. Reports have circulated of Israeli captors violating the human rights of GSF participants while they were in custody.

The GSF was comprised of activists from over 40 countries, including multiple politicians and artists as well as Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

Björk posted a statement on social media this afternoon about her "childhood-friend" Stína being "kidnapped" by Israel, and the flotillas' mission "to open the path for international aid to Gaza."

"I believe activism is as diverse as humans are," Björk said.

"I support Magga Stína and Greta doing everything possible to try to stop the genocide in Palestine. It is illegal to starve people and hinder that food arrives to children."

She added that Iceland has historically led efforts to recognise the independence of small nations, including being the first Nordic and Western country to recognise the independence of Palestine.

"We know after being a colony for 600 years what it feels like to be suppressed," said Björk, referring to centuries of colonial rule from Denmark and Norway.

"Even though we are few, our voice matters and we can continue to set an example of having the courage to rise up against oppression and represent peace.

"I ask Icelandic authorities to follow their own support for Palestine 11 years ago, to stop all business interactions with Israel until the genocide in Gaza stops and fight for Magga Stína's safe return. And in the same spirit: I ask all the world to bring every single nation's hostage home."

 

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Stína, a classically trained violinist, rose to fame in Iceland as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of punk band Risaeðlan. They released one album in 1990, Fame and Fossils, and broke up after the departure of co-singer Dora Wonder.

In 1998, Stína collaborated with Graham Massey of 808 State for an experimental pop album titled An Album. The album was released under Björk's then-label Ear. Also in 1998, Stína opened for Björk for her Homogenic tour.

Björk recently pledged to remove her music from Israel as part of the No Music for Genocide movement. Lorde, Orbital, Paramore and Hayley Williams also recently joined the movement.

Other artists listed by No Music for Genocide include KNEECAP, Fontaines D.C., Massive Attack, Faye Webster, Primal Scream, The Mary Wallopers, Black Country, New Road, Japanese Breakfast, Rina Sawayama, HorsegiirL, King Krule, Mogwai and Amyl and The Sniffers.