Left Party Candidates for This Fall's Election Praised al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah

Several individuals who have stood as candidates for the Left Party in this fall’s election have come under fire after reports of participation in Hamas-related demonstrations and praise for organizations designated as terrorist groups. When questioned about their terror connections, they could not speak Swedish — so the interviews had to be conducted in Arabic. Now, several are stepping down.

In Helsingborg, several candidates with ties to the Palestinian Women’s Association have drawn attention after participating in celebrations of Hamas’ terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

At the event, candy was distributed, children were dressed in military uniforms, and participants chanted slogans supporting the Palestinian armed struggle. This is according to an investigation carried out by Expressen.

When the newspaper contacted the candidates, several did not wish to do interviews in Swedish. Tamam Hashan, who ran for the Left Party in Helsingborg, chose to respond in Arabic.

When speaking to Expressen, Tamam Hashan could not describe Hamas as a terrorist organization, stating instead that she could not judge them but that “Palestinians have a country and are fighting a just struggle.”

Tamam Hashan (V) at the celebration of Hamas’ terrorist act on October 7. Photo: Facsimile.

Party colleague Nidal Hejjo also stated that she preferred to speak in Arabic. Despite both having run for political office in Sweden, they did not wish to discuss these issues in Swedish.

Initially, Nidal Hejjo would not acknowledge Hamas’ terrorist act on October 7, but when the newspaper explained that even the Left Party had recognized the act as terrorism, she replied:

– Regardless of whether I am in the Left Party, the Social Democrats, or any other party, is there any conflict between my struggle for Palestine and standing as a candidate for a certain party?

Praised Hamas, al-Qaeda, and Hezbollah

Another Left Party candidate, Islam Qatesh in Karlskrona, has also come under scrutiny. According to the investigation, since 2006 he has praised terrorism by, among other things, publishing posts lauding individuals and groups connected to Hamas, Hezbollah, and al-Qaeda.

The Left Party’s Islam Qatesh praises Houthi rebels with the text “May the land of faith and wisdom be filled with peace and security.”

When confronted with the information, he claimed several of the posts were meant for an “Arab audience” outside of Sweden.

The investigation raises questions about how many “lone maniacs” can actually belong to a party, given the Left Party’s many past representatives with antisemitic and terror-glorifying attitudes.

Yesterday, several of the candidates involved were removed from the party’s ballots or have left their posts as a result of the reporting.