A protest outside a Jewish school in Stockholm has sparked criticism from parents and political leaders. The demonstration, organized by the Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance, was held in response to a former IDF soldier's invitation to a local event. Parents express concerns over their children's safety, while organizers defend their right to protest.
Parents Express Outrage Over Protest at Jewish School: 'Our Children Already Feel Vulnerable'
Parents Express Outrage Over Protest at Jewish School: 'Our Children Already Feel Vulnerable'
The protest outside a Jewish school on Monday faced strong criticism. Several parents with children at the school expressed feeling unsafe.
– Our children already feel vulnerable. When you stand outside the school, many boundaries have been crossed, says one mother.
On Monday evening, about ten people gathered for a demonstration in Östermalm, Stockholm. The demonstrators stood opposite the Jewish cultural center Bajit, which includes a synagogue, restaurant, and rental spaces. The Jewish school is also located there.
The demonstrators were from the organization Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance and carried signs with messages like "all children are equal" and "IDF soldiers = war criminals."
The demonstration has been criticized by the Jewish Central Council, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M), and S-leader Magdalena Andersson, who pointed out the location as inappropriate.
The demonstrators themselves claimed they protested after school hours, from 5:30 PM, against a former IDF soldier being invited to a meeting at the Jewish cultural center by the association Med Israel för fred, Miff.
This is also evident from the application submitted to the police.
'You Become Angry, Sad, and Frustrated'
Several parents, with children at the school located at the same address, who spoke to Expressen and wish to remain anonymous, are critical of the demonstration's location. Many feel their children's safety is threatened.
A woman with two children at the school says:
– You become angry, sad, and frustrated that demonstrations are allowed outside the school. Our children already feel vulnerable. When you stand outside the school, many boundaries have been crossed.
– Demonstrating is absolutely allowed, but why choose this street? It becomes anti-Semitic when you associate all Jews with Israel, says another mother.
The demonstrators have the right to protest and protested against the lecture, how do you view that?
– If they wanted to protest against Israel, they should have stood outside the Israeli embassy, not outside a school building, where there are mainly children. They knew what they were doing, and holding up a sign with "all children are equal" is just hypocrisy, says a third mother.
Criticism Against Jewish Association
The organizer has been critical of the politicians' condemnation of the demonstration, arguing that they had the wrong focus – if anyone should be criticized, it should be the organizer who chose the location.
One of the parents is also critical of the association that invited the Israeli soldier to the school's premises.
– I think it's foolish to book controversial people and thus provoke this. Those who book should learn from this, says a mother.
Parents: Children Are Affected
The demonstrators claim they considered the school's location by being quiet and waiting until after school hours. According to the police, the demonstration also proceeded calmly.
However, several parents argue that there were still children at the school when the demonstration took place.
– And even if children missed the demonstration, they don't miss the event itself. They have social media and find out anyway.
Expressen has sought the representative for the demonstration, who has not responded.