Swedish Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin was pursued by activists from 'Together for Palestine' who accused him of complicity in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The group, known for supporting terror-designated organizations, confronted Bohlin and other politicians outside the Swedish Parliament. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and protests related to the Gaza conflict.
Swedish Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin Targeted by Pro-Palestinian Activists
Swedish Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin Targeted by Pro-Palestinian Activists
On Monday evening, activists shouted at Carl-Oskar Bohlin. Expressen reports that several members of the group 'Together for Palestine'—which has previously expressed support for representatives of terror-designated organizations—were involved.
The day before the opening ceremony of the Swedish Parliament, politicians were already present for preparations. Outside the Parliament, people gathered with Palestinian flags to protest against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, accusing Swedish politicians of genocide.
Activists filmed Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), Minister of Energy and Business Ebba Busch (KD), and Minister for Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M). Police and security guards prevented them from getting too close.
However, when Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin left for the day, he was without police or security guards. He encountered the activists again, who followed him through Gamla stan, shouting that he had blood on his hands and "shame on you."
Activists Followed Bohlin
According to the activists, Bohlin had earlier in the day stared at them "with a hateful look," which they claim provoked them to follow him.
Expressen can now reveal that individuals who followed the minister play a key role in Palestinian demonstrations in Stockholm, while the people behind the association spread support for terror-designated organizations.
The association 'Together for Palestine' organized the gathering on Monday evening. Since Hamas's terror attack on October 7, 2023, they have participated in and organized several demonstrations and manifestations. On Instagram, they have over 26,000 followers. Several people present are members of the association.
Among those shouting at Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin was Hussein Abdelzahra, who appears in the background of a clip Bohlin posted on X. Abdelzahra is the chairman of 'Together for Palestine.'
Praising Hamas's Armed Wing
'Together for Palestine' is a non-profit association registered under Khaled Amoura's name. He has repeatedly praised and advocated for terror-designated organizations like the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades—Hamas's armed wing. This occurred at a demonstration in Malmö in February 2024. In front of about fifty people gathered at Möllevångstorget, he shouted in Arabic through a megaphone:
- Praise to the Izz ad-Din Brigades.
People around him echoed and clapped along.
On several members' social media, terror-designated organizations are also repeatedly praised.
Mourning a Terror Leader
It is not only individual members of the association who praise terror. When Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was killed in July 2024, the organization canceled a planned theater performance in support of Palestine to "send a message of love and support" to their families.
'Together for Palestine' has also been criticized for organizing an anti-Israel demonstration on Holocaust Remembrance Day outside the synagogue in Stockholm earlier in 2024. This was described as "unacceptable and anti-Semitic" by the Swedish Committee Against Anti-Semitism.
On Tuesday, 'Together for Palestine' also organized a public gathering at Mynttorget in Stockholm. Expressen requested an interview, but Hussein Abdelzahra declined to comment.
In a statement on their own channels, 'Together for Palestine' claimed their demonstration was peaceful and that describing it as threatening is not only a lie but "a way to fuel hatred, racism, and oppression." This, in turn, leads to "racist and hateful reactions directed at Palestinians and anti-racists in Sweden," they continued. The reason for following the minister was because he stood in front of the demonstrators and "stared with a hateful look."