Outrage at proposed burning of Sefer Torah in Stockholm

BY ADAM MOSES

Israeli leaders, Jewish organisations and rabbis have condemned Swedish authorities for allowing the burning of a Sefer Troah at the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm last Shabbat.

Ahmed Alloush, 32, a Swedish national, ultimately backed down from his controversial plan, but not before he was slated in the media.

According to reports, Alloush was claiming ‘freedom of expression’ after a Quran was burnt outside a Stockholm mosque last month. The incident drew global condemnation.

The right to public demonstrations in Sweden is protected. Police grant permission to congregate if it is not a threat to public security. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called for calm after authorities refused to cancel the disturbing incident.

“There is a constitutional right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate,” he stated. “Decisions to allow for demonstrations are taken independently by the Policy

Authority.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the decision as “shameful” and a “grave offense” against the Jewish people.

“It is important to respect the sanctity of holy books across all religions,” he said.

President Isaac Herzog added: “Permitting the defacement of sacred texts is not an exercise in freedom of expression, it is blatant incitement and an act of pure hate. The whole world must join together in clearly condemning this repulsive act.”

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Western Wall Rabbi: “In the face of these heinous acts, the Swedish authorities stand weakly, murmuring empty words about freedom that are diminished in the face of such terrible actions both those committed and those yet to come. This is not what freedom looks like; this is what the loss of a moral compass looks like.”

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli wrote to Kristersson, calling for the Swedish Government to prevent an outrageous hatefilled initiative.

“Such bigotry has no place amongst the liberal democracies of the world, especially in Sweden which prides itself on its dedication to protecting its minorities’ rights,” he observed.

Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom assured Chikli the government strongly rejects all acts of antisemitism and is committed to combating antisemitism.

Billstrom, however, added that ‘freedom of expression’ was a constitutional right and decisions regarding such acts are deferred to local law enforcement authorities.

He noted: “The Swedish Government deeply regrets when extremists and provocateurs try to sow division in our society, even when they are exercising constitutionally protected acts. The Government fully understands that people of various faiths are deeply offended by burning of Holy Books.”

The European Jewish Congress Dr Ariel Muzicant condemned Swedish authorities.

“Provocative, racist, antisemitic and sickening acts such as these have no place in any civilised society,” he said. “Stamping on the deepest religious and cultural sensibilities of people is the clearest expression possible to send a message that minorities are unwelcome and unrespected.”

Muzicant added: “These actions, based on contorted and specious free speech arguments, are a disgrace to Sweden and any democratic government worthy of the name should prevent it. All religions and all peoples of good faith and basic decency should come together to condemn these horrific acts. What starts with words and books, always ends with trampling upon the basic rights of people. So it was in the darkest days of Europe, so it is now.”

Israel’s Ambassador to Sweden, Ziv Nevo Kulman, blasted Swedish police. “This is clearly an act of hatred that must be stopped,” he said.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called on Kulman and Swedish authorities to prevent a “shameful” event. “Burning a Torah scroll is a hate crime, a provocation and a severe affront to the Jewish people and the Jewish tradition,” he said.

Yaakov Hagoel, World Zionist Organisation chairman, said giving permission was not freedom of expression but antisemitism. “This is not the way of the Jewish people, I call upon the Swedish government to reverse the decision of the police,” he said.

Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef expressed “deep distress” to Sweden's King Carl Gustaf XV that the incident could “undermine the values of tolerance, respect and religious freedom”.

“It is imperative that we uphold the principles of mutual respect and dignity, even in the face of disagreements or tensions between communities,” he wrote.

World Zionist Organisation Chairman Yaakov Hagoel called on the Swedish government to revoke an antisemitic decision.

Robert Singer, Center for Jewish Impact, added: “This is not an example of freedom of expression but an act of legitimising pure incitement and racism. Swedish authorities must act immediately.”