During a heated interview on TV4's Nyhetsmorgon, KD leader Ebba Busch clashed with host Jenny Strömstedt over the impact of Palestinian demonstrations in Stockholm. Busch criticized the protests as 'lynch mobs' and expressed concerns about their influence on Swedish politics. The discussion intensified when Strömstedt questioned Busch's approach to dialogue with critics of her stance on Israel. Busch defended her efforts to support Palestinian civilians while condemning Hamas. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Swedish political discourse.
Ebba Busch's Fiery Exchange on Nyhetsmorgon Sparks Controversy
Ebba Busch's Fiery Exchange on Nyhetsmorgon Sparks Controversy
The atmosphere turned tense during Saturday's 'Nymo'. KD leader Ebba Busch became visibly upset during an interview with Jenny Strömstedt.
When the Christian Democrats' leader Ebba Busch appeared on TV4's Nyhetsmorgon on Saturday, she commented on the incident where Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) was followed by Palestinian demonstrators outside the parliament earlier in the week.
– No one should have to face this, she says.
Busch describes the Palestinian demonstration, often held on Fridays in Stockholm, as 'a lynch mob'.
– Almost every Friday, we have this type of lynch mob passing by the Jewish school in central Stockholm, shouting at children that they are responsible for genocide and are child murderers. We should not have this in Sweden, outside the parliament, outside the Palace.
Busch further claimed that Palestinian activists influenced last year's EU election.
– This kind of leftist activism, not the entire left but those who legitimize this kind of Palestinian activism, affected the election outcome last year in the EU election. Because we changed the entire way we worked. I can't hold public meetings the way I would like, she says on Nyhetsmorgon.
'Done More Than All Palestinian Activists'
One of the questions from host Jenny Strömstedt angered the KD leader. She asked how Busch would initiate a dialogue with those who feel the KD leader does not show enough willingness against Israel – when their war against Hamas kills children and families not connected to the terrorist organization. 'How do you want to start the dialogue with them?' she asks.
– I have that dialogue almost every week, and that dialogue is now restricted because people say 'because I don't like your politics, you deserve to die. Because I don't like your politics, your children deserve to die,' says Busch.
When Jenny Strömstedt tried to clarify her question, she was interrupted:
– For me, it becomes heated when in a discussion about whether 'it's okay to behave like this on streets and squares?' someone says 'yes, but maybe it's okay because of the politics you pursue.' That's the start of a decline in Western democracy.
Repeated the Question Three Times
When the question was repeated, Busch became angry:
– Well, then you're after me to explain Israeli politics in relation to people shouting and yelling. I mean that we are dangerously close to relativizing this kind of threat and hate and restrictions and freedom of expression.
– That was not what I said at all, says Strömstedt.
On the third attempt with the same question, Busch's response was that she had held open meetings and shown support for both sides:
– I have done more than all these Palestinian activists to promote the cause of civilian Palestinians, when I directly told Israel's foreign minister 'You must do more to release the aid. You are wrong here.' And held the line that is Sweden's line. At the same time, we say that the Palestinian people must be freed from Hamas, because it is a terror sect.
– That was not what I asked, but I thank you for the answer, concluded Strömstedt that part of the conversation.
KD leader Ebba Busch also said that she has lived with death threats for a long time. In an interview with Expressen, she compares her situation with the hate and threats that former C leader Annie Lööf has talked about.
Gave a Speech
Shortly after her appearance on Nyhetsmorgon, Ebba Busch gave a speech to party members in Knivsta, between Uppsala and Stockholm. There she said that police conditions for demonstrations need to be tightened.
– People who repeatedly engage in anti-social dominance behavior should be able to receive both restraining orders to those affected, but also be banned from public places, she says.
She further stated that the demonstrations send bad signals about Swedish unity.
– What do you think this sends as a signal to the enemies that actually exist, that we allow this day in and day out? It's enough now, it's time to uphold our Swedish values, she says.
In a debate article in SVD, Ebba Busch writes that demonstrations should be able to be moved from the Parliament House, the Royal Palace, and the ministries.
READ MORE: Ebba Busch: Not Obvious with the Liberals in Government