Swedish Jews Have Had It

By COLlive reporter

Even there, enough is enough.

A large group of Jewish and non Jewish people gathered this past Shabbos to protest the rampant anti Semitic attacks in the highly Muslim populated Swedish city of Malmo.

The Associated Press reported that the hundreds marched to bring attention to intolerance and anti-Semitic attacks in the city that saw a surge in hate crimes against Jews after Israel’s operation in Gaza in 2009.

In a speech during the demonstration, Swedish Minister for European Union Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson said that Malmo was a city open to all regardless of background or beliefs.

Her participation was welcomed as Sweden’s government has come under criticism for failing to provide adequate protection to the country’s small Jewish community and address the issue of anti-Semitism, AP reported.

In March 2012, Hannah Rosenthal, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, accused the controversial Malmo mayor, Ilmar Reepalu, of not doing enough to fight rampant anti-Semitism.

The city’s Chabad Shliach and only rabbi, Shneur Kesselman, has been the victim in more than 50 anti-Semitic incidents during his 8 years in Malmo.

As of last year, the Swedish government has earmarked more funds for fighting hate crimes against Jews.

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