Concerns of Escalation of Antisemitism in Malmo, Sweden Following Koran Burning

By Hamodia Staff

Police forces and security personnel in Malmo, Sweden, are set to increase their presence in the city this week amidst fears of violent incidents and antisemtic acts following the burning of a Koran during a protest against Israel. Jewish and Muslim organizations are working together to counteract the potential violence that could exacerbate the already precarious security situation in the city.

The Koran burning ceremony took place last Friday at Gustav Adolf Square in Malmo, carried out by an Iraqi refugee known for his anti-Muslim sentiments and a representative of the far-right movement. The provocateur wrapped himself in an Israeli flag in an attempt to provoke Muslim sentiments, potentially directing anger toward Israel and the local Jewish community.

The event occurred in the city center, where crowds waving Palestinian and Hamas flags gathered to witness the provocative act. The burning was carried out following a request from Swedish authorities to burn the Muslim book in central Malmo. Global media attention is focused on the ongoing developments in the city, which is grappling with security threats amid Israeli involvement and against the backdrop of the Gaza war.

Despite the generally good relations between the local Jewish community and the majority of the Muslim community, there is a significant presence of a radical Palestinian community that has also attracted Islamist elements from across Sweden and European countries for the purpose of protesting against the Gaza war.

Malmo – which has a high concentration of Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi, and Iranian migrants – is known as a focus for anti-Israel protests, which occur on a weekly basis and frequently include incitement, calls to attack Jews and Israelis, and the burning of Israeli flags. It should be noted that on Oct. 7, anti-Israel elements were openly joyful over the massacre that Hamas perpetrated in Israel.

In addition to the protests in Malmo, in recent months there has been an upsurge in calls by global jihadist and radical Islamic elements to carry out attacks against Western targets, including focused threats against Israelis and Jews around the world, while emphasizing targets with a high media profile.

The fear of further escalation prompted Jewish and Muslim religious leaders to issue a joint statement. In a letter addressed to Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Kristersson, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, and Muhammad Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Muslim Scholars Organization, based in Riyadh, condemned the hateful act. They praised Kristersson’s previous condemnation of such actions and declared that burning holy books is a disrespectful act, even if it falls under the guise of freedom of expression. They warned that such actions could worsen the already volatile security situation in Malmo and called on all parties planning to express their views to do so responsibly and ensure that their expressions do not incite hatred or threats against any minority group living in the city.