On October 7, Sweden's Jews suffered a double shock. First through Hamas's brutal massacre in southern Israel—the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
The second shock came from the reaction in Sweden. Swedish Jews are unfortunately all too used to Jew hatred being expressed as anti-Israel prejudice, in line with the working definition of anti-Semitism that Prime Minister Löfvén adopted in 2020.
The definition with examples clarifies the difference between criticism of the government of Israel and the denial of the Jewish state's right to exist.
As early as October 7, we witnessed open celebrations of the massacre, with palpable antisemitism spreading in the streets, in schools, and on social media—with few condemnations and even fewer consequences.
The feeling of abandonment became clear when several politicians and representatives from minority groups and civil society chose not to stand up for Sweden's Jews, who were thus ostracized in their own homeland.
According to a report from the Segerstedt Institute, published on September 30, Jews in Sweden feel that hatred against them is rather tolerated by democratic institutions. This has created a feeling of abandonment among Swedish Jews, who next year celebrate 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden.
Hatred and violence against other minorities have undoubtedly been met with strong condemnation. But now we saw tent camps with protesters who openly support terrorist organizations and demand the annihilation of Israel.
Despite the fact that Sweden's government and leading politicians have clearly condemned these actions, the message does not seem to reach the rest of society and the political parties at the local level. It is easy to criticize opponents' anti-Semitism, but even more important to fight it within one's own political sphere in order to really stand up for Sweden's Jews.
Activists and politicians who normally fight for democratic rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and against racism are now marching side by side with supporters of terror-labeled terrorist organizations, supported by Iran's oppressive leadership.
Even worse is that they simultaneously spread messages that undermine the foundations of an open and multifaceted society.
Journalists reporting on Palestinian protesters' support for Hamas have been threatened in their homes. Local politicians spread gross anti-Semitism without immediate action from the party leadership.
Rape victims are not noticed by movements such as #BelieveWomen and #MeToo that otherwise claim to stand up for women's rights.
Do these protesters understand that slogans like "globalize the intifada" mean repeating the massacre on October 7—also against Jews in Sweden? At best, this is naivety and confusion; at worst, a betrayal of the principles they claim to defend.
Today, on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on Israel, tensions are rising throughout the region.
For Swedish Jews, the reactions—or the palpable lack of them—after October 7 have felt like reliving ancient history. It has created a painful realization that the society and country that are their home may not be so welcoming when it really counts.
This is a serious warning sign for the entire Swedish society. Measures must be taken widely, within all political parties and civil society that claim to protect human rights and minority groups.
Otherwise, we risk returning to the darkest chapter of history and a society where we no longer recognize ourselves.
This editorial was originally published in Swedish in Aftonbladet.
