Swedish MPs Nadja Awad and Tony Haddou from the Left Party shared a video featuring terror-linked symbols during a pro-Palestine demonstration in Gothenburg. They have since distanced themselves from the flags, emphasizing their support for the Palestinian flag and people. The demonstration, attended by around 5,000 people, included flags of groups like Hamas, drawing criticism from experts.
Swedish MPs Retract Support After Sharing Video with Hamas Flags
Swedish MPs Retract Support After Sharing Video with Hamas Flags
Here, Members of Parliament Nadja Awad (V) and Tony Haddou (V) shared a video featuring terror-linked symbols at a Palestine demonstration. They have now distanced themselves from the flags and removed the shares:
"It's not something I want to support; I stand behind the Palestinian flag and the Palestinian people," writes Nadja Awad.
On Sunday, several Palestine groups held a joint demonstration in Gothenburg. The demonstration was organized by the organizations Floden and Stäng ner Elbit and attracted around 5,000 people, according to police estimates.
At the demonstration, several people waved flags for terror-designated groups. Symbols representing Hamas and Islamic Jihad and their armed branches were present.
Gothenburg "Stands Out Negatively"
"It's not surprising to see flags for militant Palestinian groups, some of which are terror-designated, in Gothenburg. We've seen similar flags there before. Gothenburg stands out negatively in this regard," says Israel and Palestine expert Anders Persson.
These were the flags that parts of the demonstrators lifted in the clips that two Left Party MPs – Nadja Awad and Tony Haddou – chose to share on their social media.
In a clip published by the organization Tnkvrt, several of the terror-designated symbols are clearly visible. The video was published with the text "Thousands of demonstrators for Gaza in Gothenburg."
Both MPs Distance Themselves
Expressen has sought both Nadja Awad and Tony Haddou, who do not want to participate in interviews about the images. Instead, they have sent written comments.
Tony Haddou himself participated in the demonstration. He writes that he was there to put pressure on the government.
"I have been made aware afterward that there were some flags with symbols, which I do not support. What is important to me is that we were more than ever protesting against the genocide and putting pressure on the government. I will continue to do so," he writes.
Nadja Awad writes that she wanted to highlight the demonstration.
"It has been brought to attention afterward that there were symbols for organizations in a clip that I spread on social media. It's not something I want to support; I stand behind the Palestinian flag and the Palestinian people," she writes.