Following the recurring issues of anti-Semitic sentiments within their own ranks, the Social Democrats and the youth organization SSU in Malmö organized a trip to Auschwitz. However, not everyone joined the trip, and all the SSU members stayed at home. At the same time, they deny that Malmö would have particularly large problems with anti-Semitism.
It’s not just the Left Party that has a chronic problem with anti-Semitism, it applies to the left in general. In Malmö, which has become the capital of European anti-Semitism, hatred also thrives within the Social Democrats’ multicultural leadership.
Following the terrorist group Hamas’ massacre in October last year, and Israel’s response, anti-Semitism has exploded within the left. In Malmö, the massacre was celebrated in the streets and squares, mainly by migrants from the Middle East. The city has a long tradition of a complicated relationship with Jews.
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Already in 2010, the then municipal councilor Ilmar Reepalu (S) demanded that the Jewish community in Malmö distance itself from Israel’s actions in Gaza. During various demonstrations, slogans such as ‘crush Zionism’ were heard – something that has officially ceased since 2019.
That same year, they also found it necessary to start educating members about anti-Semitism, and in 2023, they received money from the Olof Palme Memorial Fund to take young members on a commemorative trip. However, a few months before the trip, many dropped out citing clashes with exams and new jobs, illnesses, and ‘personal reasons’.
Jews dare not go out in Malmö
One of those who claimed to have been hindered is Leith Al-Bayati, chairman of SSU Malmö. In total, seven people dropped out, and not a single SSU member was present when the time came. In addition to two leaders, only four people who are all on the board of S-students in Malmö went – individuals who are already knowledgeable and engaged against anti-Semitism.
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Two of those who came along are Manda Svärd and Naima Ahmed. Svärd notes that ‘Malmö is a city of diversity’ and that she has Jewish friends who are afraid to go out during demonstrations. At the same time, they oppose Malmö being used as an argument in debates concerning anti-Semitism and draw parallels to gang crime.
– I think it’s very easy for politics to use Malmö as a weapon. When the media makes headlines about, for example, shootings in Malmö, it becomes very easy for people to look down on or hate Malmö. Although it’s something that happens in all major cities, says Naima Ahmed to Svenska dagbladet.
Malmö not worse than any other municipality
By portraying anti-Semitism as a Malmö phenomenon, the problem is belittled, Svärd believes. She also argues that it diminishes anti-Semitism and that it is a hatred that permeates many parts of society.
Another person who denies that the problem would be greater in Malmö is Andreas Berg, a teacher and member of the Social Democrats and leader of the trip. He claims that the problem of anti-Semitism is neither greater nor less in Malmö compared to other Swedish municipalities.