SKMA Criticizes Kristersson for Downplaying Threats Against Jews

Ulf Kristersson faces criticism for defending Johan Forssell. According to the Swedish Committee Against Antisemitism, the Prime Minister downplays the threat to Jews from far-right groups. "It's important not to forget what this is about," says Chairperson Ulrika Knutson.

It was Expo that revealed Migration Minister Johan Forssell's (M) close relatives had contact with far-right and violent groups. According to the publication, the teenager has attempted to recruit others into the far-right organization Det fria Sverige and claims to have participated in activities with the Nazi Aktivklubb Sverige.

Ulf Kristersson has defended his minister.

"I think Johan Forssell has acted as a responsible parent should when they find out their child is doing wrong and is in bad company," wrote Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in a comment this week.

This comment is now receiving sharp criticism from the Swedish Committee Against Antisemitism, SKMA, which believes Kristersson's statement downplays the threat to Jews and other minorities in Sweden.

"It shifts focus from a structural societal threat—a political ideology that threatens the foundations of democracy—to a question of individual and morally questionable associations," writes SKMA in a post on their website.

"Not Just a Matter of Rhetoric"

Ulrika Knutson, Chairperson of SKMA, says the post is intended as a reminder. In the post, the committee writes that every expression of National Socialism and antisemitism is a "direct threat to Jews and other minorities in Sweden, and to our open, democratic society."

"This is something that the government and Säpo have also warned about. They recently released a major report on the far-right violent environment, especially these Aktivklubbar. So it's important not to forget what this is about," says Ulrika Knutson.

SKMA also emphasizes that it is not just a matter of word choice from Kristersson's side.

"From political leaders, especially from the country's government, an unequivocal and consistent rejection of Nazism and all forms of racism is required. This is not just a matter of rhetoric, but about maintaining a clear norm against anti-democratic and violent ideologies."

Ulf Kristersson says in a comment about SKMA's criticism that he and the government take all types of violent extremism seriously.

"This is regardless of whether it, as in this case, concerns right-wing extremism or whether it concerns Islamism or the autonomous left. It is serious for every child exposed in these environments and for society at large and must therefore be prevented and combated with the collective strength of society."