Swedish PM tells Malmö conference 'concrete measures' needed to combat antisemitism

• Author: JEREMY SHARON
• Published date: 13 October 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Speaking at the conference, Löfven noted that antisemitism is present in all parts of society, observing specifically that it had been boosted in Europe by the arrival of immigrants where antisemitism is rife, an implicit reference to Muslim immigrants from the Middle East.

Malmö Mayor Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, whose city has been a hotbed of antisemitic incidents and attacks emanating in particular from its large Muslim population, also addressed the conference, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog, French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken addressed the event through video messages.

Speaking first in the plenary session of the conference, Löfven mentioned the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust of January 2000, which resulted in the founding of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and the 2020 IHRA Ministerial Declaration as important milestones in efforts to combat antisemitism and preserve the memory of the Holocaust.

"We are not looking for another declaration, we are looking to translate these principles of these documents into reality," Löfven said at Wednesday's conference.

"I have therefore encouraged delegations that are representative here in Malmö today to present concrete measures to promote Holocaust remembrance and to combat antisemitism, anti-Gypsism and other forms of racism," he continued.

The Swedish prime minister acknowledged that antisemitism is today present in "extreme right-wing groups, parts of the Left, in Islamist environments and among ordinary citizens."

He specifically observed that antisemitism is present "among adults and children who fled to Europe from countries where hatred of Jews is promoted in schools and through state-propaganda," an oblique reference to Muslim immigrants to Europe among whom antisemitism is a severe problem.

Löfven also acknowledged Malmö's problems with antisemitism, but insisted that the city and its mayor were working hard to combat the phenomenon and noted that the mayor had specifically asked that the conference be held in her city.

Herzog in his address lamented what was the "demonization and antisemitism" inherent in attacks on Israel's right to exist, and expressed concern about rising antisemitic incidents in Europe and the world more broadly.

"We have witnessed thousands of antisemitic assaults, vandalism and threats from extremists all over, including in Malmö," he said.

"This rise in antisemitic attacks on the streets, the...