Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has accused opposition leaders Magdalena Andersson and Nooshi Dadgostar of indirectly supporting dangerous forces by not condemning aggressive actions by pro-Palestinian activists. Stenergard, who has faced protests and attacks, emphasizes the need for clear opposition to such behavior to maintain Sweden's democratic values.
Swedish Foreign Minister Accuses Opposition of Fueling Dangerous Forces
Swedish Foreign Minister Accuses Opposition of Fueling Dangerous Forces
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M), along with her party colleague Carl-Oskar Bohlin, has been confronted by pro-Palestinian activists. She places significant blame for the heightened tensions on Magdalena Andersson (S) and Nooshi Dadgostar (V).
"They must clearly state that this behavior does not belong in Sweden and not indirectly fuel these extremely dangerous forces," she asserts.
Last autumn, Maria Malmer Stenergard was attacked by Palestinian activists in the parliament chamber. A man threw tomatoes and red onions at the foreign minister, and the attacker was later fined 60 daily penalties.
She has also been repeatedly targeted at her home, with demonstrators protesting loudly outside.
"It's not pleasant to explain to your children why people are shouting outside the house or why they throw things at their mother at work," says Maria Malmer Stenergard.
She reacted strongly when her government colleague, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for Civil Defense, was followed by pro-Palestinian activists on his way from a parliamentary meeting.
"Something is breaking, and it's one of the finest things we have in this country. We are a nation where democracy's various parts have always met peacefully," says Malmer Stenergard.
"Aiming to Create Fear"
Maria Malmer Stenergard emphasizes that activists have the right to demonstrate and criticize, but politicians also have the right to perform their duties.
"But now we see a new movement emerging, with people hiding behind freedom of speech but not respecting it. Demonstrators who do more than demonstrate and actively and consciously aim to create fear," she says.
According to Malmer Stenergard, the activists' actions risk leading to a society where people fall silent, as they use threats and hatred against those with differing opinions.
"No one questions the suffering in Gaza or the engagement for Gaza, but what they are doing is not legitimate. It does not belong in Sweden."
The foreign minister places particular responsibility for the heightened rhetoric on opposition politicians, especially Magdalena Andersson and Nooshi Dadgostar.
"We all must, and I mean also Magdalena Andersson and Nooshi Dadgostar, clearly state that this does not belong in Sweden and not indirectly fuel these extremely dangerous forces."
Instead, Malmer Stenergard sees how hatred and anti-Semitism have been stirred up within the opposition.
She cites the example of Lorena Delgado Varas, who was expelled from the Left Party after sharing an anti-Semitic image.
"She liked the hatred and threats spread on social media against me. The rhetoric we have heard from her has been utterly appalling. And it's clear that large parts of the Left Party and the opposition have also supported her and what she stood for," says Malmer Stenergard, adding:
"That is dangerous. So I wonder, where are Magdalena Andersson and Nooshi in all this? Had this been a far-right demonstration behaving this way, I can promise you they would not have been as silent."
Obligatory Distance
The fact that both party leaders have distanced themselves from the pursuit of Carl-Oskar Bohlin through social media statements is not enough, according to the foreign minister.
"It was merely obligatory. They must stand on the barricades and fight the hatred now spreading with us."
Do you feel that your party, your government, has done enough to calm these tensions?
"We have been incredibly clear, and it's a clarity I completely miss in the opposition. We have been very exposed in this. I personally have also been targeted several times."
S-leader Magdalena Andersson completely disagrees with Maria Malmer Stenergard's claim that she has been unclear.
"I have distanced myself and been very clear that this is completely unacceptable behavior. One has the right to express their opinion, but one cannot chase ministers in this way," she says, adding:
"What I see here is a desperate government trying to score cheap domestic political points on a terrible situation in Gaza."
Expressen is seeking Nooshi Dadgostar.