Sweden: Who Is Responsible for Anti-Semitism in Malmö?

For years, we have been reporting on the anti-Semitism that is rampant in Malmö, Sweden’s third-largest city. Once a thriving community that grew from the Danish Jewish refugees who found safe harbor in the city during the German occupation of Denmark, the Jewish community has dwindled sharply due to emigration. And why are they leaving? Because the city is now made up of approximately 25% immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries. In recent years, when Ilmar Reepalu was mayor, he basically told the Jews they could leave if they dared to support Israel.

Recent surveys and investigations show that Jewish school kids are routinely subjected to verbal and physical abuse in the school. Yet most reports out of the media do not identify who the perpetrators are.

Such is the case with today’s article running in Expressen. Once again, the problem of anti-Semitism in the city is examined, but not one word as to who the perpetrators are. It’s good that they are talking about the problem, but if you don’t say who is mostly responsible, what’s the point? 

And yes, we see the same reluctance here in the US, especially on our college campuses.

The below article is translated by Fousesquawk.

 https://www.expressen.se/kvallsposten/kritik-efter-attacken–det-behovs-en-plan/

Criticism after the attack: “A plan is needed”

 Malmö: Published May 5. 2023 , 16:23

-Maria Rydhagen

The synagogue in Malmö was subjected to a suspected attack attempt just over one week ago.

At the same time, a Malmö city survey shows that Jewish school students are being subjected to verbal and physical attacks.

“It would be nice if we could see Malmö as a peaceful city where everyone can feel safe and follow their dreams. But that is not the case,” says Jonathan Conricus, former international spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces.

Jonathan Conricus has a background as press spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces. He has lived in Israel in the past decades but grew up in Malmö. He has been Israel’s representative in the UN and has appeared in historical international media like CNN.

Now he is on a lecture tour in Sweden, and one of the stops is his childhood city of Malmö, where his Skane past is remembered, if in nothing other than the dialect.

” I have felt that now when I am in Stockholm, Uppsala and the like. As soon as I open my mouth, people understand where I am from.”

“Malmö and Skåne are a big part of my heritage. I had a wonderful upbringing in Malmö.”

Today, he is critical over how Malmö’s Jewish community is protected.

“My perspective is from outside,  but the short answer to the question is: Where ARE  Malmö’s Jews” They are barely here any longer,” he says and refers to information on how the Jewish congregation has lost members in the past few years.

On April 26, Malmö police staged a major operation at the synagogue in central Malmö. The incident is being investigated as preparation for destruction dangerous to the public. One person was arrested but later released. Suspicions of crime remain.

“We’ll check some things, and then I will make a decision as to whether to close the case or go further,” says preliminary investigation leader, Pär Andersson on Wednesday.

Police are secretive

In March 2021, the city of Malmö presented an investigation where Jewish school students were interviewed and practically all testified to hate crimes in the form of physical and verbal attacks.

Mirjam Katzin, Malmö’s coordinator against anti-Semitism, wrote in her report that Malmö’s teachers had a knowledge gap on the subject. In a debate article in Expressen, several Jewish representatives demanded a number of measures to make schools safer.

Jonathan Conricus is now calling on leading politicians to set down which values apply.

“That they actually have a plan for how to implement laws. To make the message very clear: If one engages in Jew-hatred, there will be consequences. That everyone understands there will be no tolerance for hate.” 

Wants to highlight (fight) against anti-Semitism

Amani Loubani (Social Democrat), municipal counselor in Malmö responsible for democracy and human rights believes that the city takes the criticism (seriously). She agrees that it is important to be clear that all sorts of anti-Semitism are impermissible.

“I have personally been very clear on this and have raised it in many contexts. But it is something we must continue to do, it is ongoing,” she says and points to the internal training on racism where the IHRA’s* definition of anti-Semitism is used. 

*International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

The Jewish community, with support from the city of Malmö, has built a knowledge center about Jewish life in Malmö and Sweden.

“Thousands of school students have visited the knowledge center, and it has been very valuable,” says Amani Loubani.

“This has been exciting work. It is flexible. We talk constantly: What are our challenges now? And then we make plans from that,” says Amani Loubani.