Thomas Larsson, a Social Democrat politician in Finspång, has resigned following revelations of his antisemitic posts on social media, where he denied Hamas's atrocities. The incident has sparked discussions on antisemitism and historical revisionism.
Swedish Politician Resigns After Denying Hamas Atrocities
Swedish Politician Resigns After Denying Hamas Atrocities
Thomas Larsson, a Social Democrat politician in Finspång, has resigned. The decision follows a report by the newspaper NT highlighting his posts on X, where he denied that Hamas's atrocities took place.
"This becomes antisemitic historical revisionism," says Christer Mattson, an expert on antisemitism.
Earlier this week, NT revealed that Thomas Larsson, a local politician in Finspång, had been spreading antisemitic messages on X.
Among other things, he repeatedly denied the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Christer Mattson, director and researcher at the Segerstedt Institute at the University of Gothenburg, which aims to increase knowledge about antisemitism, racist organizations, and violent groups, commented on the posts in the newspaper.
"Statements that the atrocities did not occur become antisemitic historical revisionism. What is being said is that we should not trust Jewish or Israeli women, but rather that they are spreading Jewish propaganda," he says.
Resigns from Duties
On Thursday morning, it was announced that Larsson is resigning from his positions of trust.
"He is deeply remorseful for the things he has spread on social media. It was not his intention to give voice to antisemitic messages, and he takes full responsibility," says Henrik Persson, acting chairman of the Social Democrats in Finspång, to NT.
When the newspaper contacted Larsson himself to confront him about the post, he said he "only opposes the ongoing genocide."
"The posts highlighted in NT are completely unacceptable and contradict our values. Criticizing Israel's policies and the inhumane suffering of the civilian population in Gaza must never be done through antisemitic notions," writes Teresa Carvalho, legal policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, to the newspaper.