A protest outside a Jewish school in central Stockholm has drawn significant criticism from various quarters, including the Jewish Central Council and political leaders. The demonstration, organized by the 'Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance', was aimed at a meeting with an Israeli soldier, Eldar Maider. Despite being peaceful, the protest's location near the school has raised concerns about safety and appropriateness.
Controversial Protest at Jewish School Sparks Outrage in Stockholm
Controversial Protest at Jewish School Sparks Outrage in Stockholm
A demonstration outside a Jewish school has faced strong criticism from multiple quarters. The Jewish Central Council, the Foreign Minister, and the Social Democratic leader all expressed disapproval. The location also includes a Jewish cultural center.
Protesters claimed the focus was on a meeting with an Israeli soldier, reports Flamman.
About ten people gathered for the protest around 5:30 PM yesterday in central Stockholm. The Jewish Hillel School is also nearby.
The placement of the protest has been heavily criticized by the Jewish Central Council, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M), and Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson.
"This is not about freedom of speech, but about creating fear and anxiety among children living in Sweden, whose families have been persecuted for generations. I feel only disgust towards those who do this," wrote Malmer Stenergard.
Magdalena Andersson stated that children should feel safe going to and from school and called the demonstration "deeply inappropriate."
Adjacent to the school is the Jewish cultural house Bajit, which includes a synagogue, restaurant, and rental spaces.
At 7:00 PM on Monday, the association "With Israel for Peace", Miff, organized a meeting with Eldar Maider, described as a "young Israeli expert" who was to speak on "current topics around October 7, the Gaza war, Iran, and more."
Miff's invitation states that Maider served as a paratrooper and has "extensive military experience from various units."
In the public invitation, the location is secret and referred to as "central Stockholm."
Several protesters on site told Flamman that the demonstration was directed against the meeting with Maider.
- We were there because a suspected war criminal was invited for a lecture, says Alexandra Esser to the newspaper.
"Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance" Sought Permission
Another protester mentioned that the demonstrators themselves have members who have had children at the Jewish school and considered the school's location by being quiet and waiting until after school hours to appear.
The group also wrote on Instagram that the protest took place where it did because of the meeting organized by Miff.
"The protest was small and deliberately limited, but clear. It was led by Jews and gathered people from different backgrounds. Participants stood still with signs, without shouting or slogans," they wrote in a post.
They also stated that two demonstrators were spat on and have reported this to the police.
Police: Sought but Did Not Receive Permission
Parents with children at the Jewish school told Expressen they feel unsafe with demonstrations outside the school.
The police told Expressen that a private individual under the banner "Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance/Anti-Zionist Jews for Palestine" submitted an application to organize the demonstration on Sunday.
However, the application was not processed in time, and the gathering therefore did not have a permit.
"Stockholm City Police District had police surveillance on site during the unauthorized public gathering due to the above and the still unprocessed application," the police wrote.
According to the authority, 10-15 people showed up, and it went peacefully. As a routine, a report of an unauthorized public gathering has been filed.
Two additional police reports related to the gathering have been received, but it is unclear what they concern.
Expressen is seeking the Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance and Alexandra Esser.
The organizer Miff does not want to comment on whether the meeting was held inside the cultural center or not.
"We do not publicly comment on the meetings we organize for our members, partly for security reasons," wrote communications manager Ulf Cahn in a text message.