SSU's new leader, Moska Hassas, faced backlash for wearing a scarf with Islamist messages during a Gaza peace demonstration. The incident sparked criticism from Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin and raised questions about the Social Democrats' stance on extremism. Hassas has since distanced herself from the scarf, claiming it was a mistake.
Controversy Erupts Over SSU Leader's Scarf with Islamist Message
Controversy Erupts Over SSU Leader's Scarf with Islamist Message
SSU's chairperson, Moska Hassas, wore a scarf with Islamist messages. She has now distanced herself from it in a post on X. Meanwhile, Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin criticized Morgan Johansson (S) for posing next to the SSU leader.
The incident occurred during a demonstration last Thursday, where several Social Democratic organizations gathered for a peace manifestation in Gaza. SSU's new chairperson, Moska Hassas, wore the controversial scarf.
Images of Hassas wearing the scarf have spread widely on X, shared by, among others, commentator Daniel Schatz. He points out that it depicts a map where Israel is erased.
"Why does SSU's new chairperson, Moska Hassas, choose to pose with a Palestinian scarf adorned with the Arabic text 'Jerusalem is ours' and an image of the al-Aqsa mosque—a slogan rooted in extremist and Islamist circles? And why are Morgan Johansson and Annika Strandhäll standing by her side?" he writes.
Former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has posed in a similar scarf several times.
In the photo with the Social Democratic profiles, Sara Kukka-Salam, chairperson of the side organization Faith and Solidarity and chair of the municipal council in Solna, is also seen in a similar scarf.
Minister's Criticism of Morgan Johansson
Another person reacting is Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M), Minister for Civil Defense. In a comment to Expressen, he attacks the Social Democrats' foreign policy spokesperson Morgan Johansson.
"Unfortunately, I am not entirely surprised that it looks like this in SSU, which time and again has shown difficulty in maintaining a boundary against extremism. The big question is what Morgan Johansson, the Social Democrats' presumed foreign minister candidate, is doing when he poses side by side with these messages. Has he now given his approval for the youth association to reproduce Islamist messages?" says Bohlin.
After the attention, Moska Hassas distanced herself. In a post on X, she explains that it was not her scarf.
"At a demonstration last Thursday, I received a scarf from someone on site and did not see the text on it. I have now been made aware of the text, which neither I nor SSU support. Therefore, I want to be clear that this was a mistake," she writes.
The post continues:
"SSU will always stand up for the two-state solution and for the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and freedom."
Morgan Johansson writes in a comment:
"Moska Hassas has explained what happened and apologized, which is good. Further questions about this are referred to SSU."
SSU does not want to comment further and also refers to Hassas' post on X.
Expressen is seeking Sara Kukka-Salam.