Escalating Antisemitism Threatens Jewish Communities in Sweden
Rising antisemitism in Sweden threatens the safety and existence of Jewish communities.
Key Points
- • Antisemitic incidents reported in Umeå, Malmö, and Norrköping.
- • Umeå's local Jewish association has closed due to threats and vandalism.
- • Hostility against Jewish families in Malmö has led to a decline in their population.
- • Concerns raised about the future of Jewish life in Sweden amid rising antisemitism.
In a troubling development for Jewish communities in Sweden, recent reports underline a significant rise in antisemitism, particularly impacting cities like Umeå, Malmö, and Norrköping. The notable decline in these communities is attributed to a series of threats, acts of vandalism, and a growing hostile atmosphere that jeopardizes the safety and presence of Jewish residents.
Hannah Stutzinsky, in her commentary, highlights a recent provocative art installation in Umeå that features dolls designed to represent Jews in a threatening manner, demonstrating the unsettling environment that currently persists in the city. Stutzinsky points out that the already diminished Jewish community in Umeå, which lost its local association about eight years ago due to persistent attacks and threats from neo-Nazi groups, is effectively devoid of organized Jewish life north of Uppsala. This deteriorating situation has prompted Jewish individuals, including a woman who felt compelled to leave Umeå, to seek safety elsewhere.
In Malmö, the story is similarly grim, as increasing reports of hostility against Jewish families, including children being targeted at schools, have led many to choose to leave. This ongoing intimidation reflects a broader trend, as described by local reports which reveal that families are fleeing what has become a sanctuary of antisemitic incidents.
Norrköping also mirrors these patterns, facing a series of antisemitic attacks including a firebombing of the local synagogue. As the Jewish population dwindles in these significant urban areas, concerns rise over the future of Jewish life in Sweden.
Stutzinsky argues that these incidents correlate with a failure of the Palestinian solidarity movement to adequately distance itself from extremist elements that spread hate against Jews. She emphasizes that if such expressions of antisemitism continue to proliferate, Sweden risks becoming a country increasingly inhospitable to Jewish life, resulting in a stark reduction in the presence of Jews in its cities. This alarming trend not only threatens the individual safety of Jewish people but also undermines the rich historical tapestry of Jewish culture in Sweden.