Ebba Busch, leader of the Christian Democrats, faces backlash after stating that 'Israel is doing the world a favor' in its conflict with Hamas. Her comments have sparked widespread reactions and criticism, leading to a heated debate in Sweden. Busch defends her stance, condemning both Hamas and Israel's actions, while addressing the hate and threats she has received.
Ebba Busch Responds to Backlash Over Israel Comments
Ebba Busch Responds to Backlash Over Israel Comments
This week, Ebba Busch (Christian Democrats) stated that 'Israel is doing the world a favor' in the war. Her statement has gained significant attention and provoked strong reactions against her. Now, Busch is hitting back.
– The threats and hatred flowing in messages and in my and others' comment sections make my stomach turn, she writes in a post on X.
'A week where Swedish debate shows its worst side,' begins Ebba Busch in her post on Thursday evening.
She comments on the aftermath of her statement earlier this week, which has spread widely and provoked strong reactions against her.
In several media outlets, she said that 'Israel is doing the world a favor by trying to neutralize Hamas and ensure they are dissolved.'
A statement that has since been 'deliberately skewed,' according to her.
'Both media and celebrities distorted the quote beyond recognition and wrote 'Israel is doing the world a favor' alongside images of starving children,' she writes.
She calls the move 'shameful.'
Threats and Hatred
In the post, she states that the discussions have turned into pure hateful messages directed at her.
'The threats and hatred flowing in messages and in my and others' comment sections make my stomach turn.'
In the post, she also highlights that she criticizes both Hamas and Israel. She writes that she has previously pointed out that the Israeli military 'is very likely guilty of violating international law.'
At the same time, she emphasizes that the greatest pressure should be on Hamas.
'I do not shy away from being clear about the disdain for Hamas and the need to remove them from Gaza,' she writes.
Criticized Statement
Ebba Busch's criticized statement that 'Israel is doing the world a favor' came after Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard issued a new, tougher demand on Israel. Last week, she announced that Sweden wants to freeze the EU's trade agreement with Israel, due to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Following the decision, a heated debate erupted among the Tidö parties. Both the Christian Democrats and the Sweden Democrats quickly issued sharp statements, clearly showing that not everyone in the Tidö collaboration supports the new line.
Ebba Busch criticized the decision, arguing that it was not communicated in a balanced way.
As part of that reasoning, she stated that there needed to be more focus on Hamas's role – and that Israel is doing the world a favor by opposing them.