Ebba Busch's comments supporting Israel's actions against Hamas have gone viral, shared by prominent figures including Benjamin Netanyahu's son. The statement has sparked significant debate and criticism, highlighting divisions within Swedish politics regarding Israel and Gaza.
Ebba Busch's Statement on Israel Goes Viral, Sparks Debate
Ebba Busch's Statement on Israel Goes Viral, Sparks Debate
Benjamin Netanyahu's son has shared Ebba Busch's notable words on social media, causing a stir in Israeli circles.
The statement by KD leader and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, claiming that "Israel is doing the world a favor by trying to neutralize Hamas and ensure its dissolution," has gone viral.
Several large social media accounts, linked to the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have shared posts with Busch's words.
One sharer is Hananya Naftali, a YouTuber and digital advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, with over half a million followers on X, formerly Twitter. He thanks Busch and adds both an Israeli and a Swedish flag.
Another figure sharing Ebba Busch's words, via the right-wing populist account Visegrád 24, is Yair Netanyahu, son of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. He also has many followers on X, over 250,000, and his profile states, "from the river to the sea, this flag 🇮🇱 is all you'll see!"
The post has currently reached nearly 400,000 views.
Misinterpretation According to Busch
Ebba Busch's statement came after the government adopted a tougher stance against Israel. Among other things, the government now wants to freeze the EU's trade agreement with Israel to pressure Netanyahu's government to allow more aid into Gaza, something they previously opposed.
Busch, however, suggested that the decision could change if it turns out that Israel has done what can be expected of the country, and that "Israel is doing the world a favor" by neutralizing Hamas.
She later stated that her words have been deliberately misinterpreted by "media and celebrities," and that the full wording of her quote was not included.
Busch's statement has received sharp criticism from several quarters, including various editorial writers and on social media, questioning the government's actual stance on Israel/Gaza policy. The statement has also been interpreted as an attempt by the KD leader to appease internal criticism within her own party.
Foreign Minister Clarified
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) clarified that it is her stance that prevails on these issues, not Ebba Busch's. The government, led by her, Benjamin Dousa, and Ulf Kristersson, has taken a tougher stance towards Israel than before.
Criticism of this has been extensive in several of the Tidö parties, as there has long been strong support for Israel among the parties' representatives.