Despite Newsweek’s declaration that President Trump is responsible for rising anti-Semitism in Sweden, a New York Times contributor Friday pushed back against that narrative and placed the blame on Muslim immigrants and leftists.
“Historically, anti-Semitism in Sweden could mainly be attributed to right-wing extremists,” Paulina Neuding, editor in chief of the Swedish online magazine Kvartal, writes in The Times in a piece titled “The Uncomfortable Truth About Swedish Anti-Semitism.”
“While this problem persists, a study from 2013 showed that 51 percent of anti-Semitic incidents in Sweden were attributed to Muslim extremists. Only 5 percent were carried out by right-wing extremists; 25 percent were perpetrated by left-wing extremists,” she continues.
Neuding’s column contrasts with Newsweek’s Cristina Maza’s assurances that violence against Jews can be attributed to Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, despite the fact that violence against Jews in Sweden has been steadily increasing for years.
Nevertheless, these facts did not stop Maza from asserting that “Because of Trump, people are burning Israeli flags and attacking Jews.”
The fact that these attacks can be largely attributed to Middle Eastern immigrants and refugees puts Sweden in an awkward position, according to Neuding.
“The fear of being accused of intolerance has paralyzed Sweden’s leaders from properly addressing deep-seated intolerance,” she wrote.
While attacks against Jews increase, Sweden’s government appears committed to its dedication to diversity and multiculturalism, even as its own citizens suffer. Neuding cites an incident last week where the country’s state television channel blamed Trump’s decision to move the US embassy in Israel to “influential Jewish donors,” while another Swedish newspaper concurred with Newsweek’s bizarre thesis that a local firebombing of a synagogue was “linked to Trump.”
To combat this spike in violence, Neuding recommends that the Swedish government “do more to counter attempts by foreign clerics” who radicalize the nation’s Muslim community.
“In Sweden, as in other European countries, radicalization of Muslims is often funded and organized by foreign entities,” she wrote.
WATCH:
Because of repeated attacks against their community, many Swedish Jews have opted to simply flee the country. Despite these fears, Sweden’s government seems paralyzed from acting.
The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Freedom of speech isn’t free. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.