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The number of anti-Semitic hate crimes has increased in Sweden after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 – and Israel’s counterattack.
“Sara”, 19, is a Jewish woman in a medium-sized Swedish city.
– I don’t feel welcome here, it has become trendy to hate Jews, she says.
On Saturday October 7, Hamas, branded as a terrorist, attacked Israel. Then Israel declared war on Hamas.
“Sara” is a 19-year-old Jewish woman with long brown hair who, a month ago, was looking forward to her last year at high school. Now she doesn’t even dare to go out.
– This week a guy spat at me in town. He shouted “fuck Jew”. It wasn’t anyone I know. Several other people have followed me and shouted “heil Hitler”.
“Sara” is not alone in this type of experience. In two weeks, the police have received 54 reports of hate crimes in Sweden with anti-Semitic motives.
– We are definitely seeing an increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes, says police chief Per Engström at the National Operative Department, NOA.
It’s about graffiti of Nazi symbols, bomb threats and Hitler salutes. Several Swedish Jews have also reported verbal threats and assault, according to police reports.
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Receiving death threats
“Sara” has chosen to remain anonymous because she feels afraid for her own safety. Death threats and hate are pouring in on her Instagram. Police Chief Per Engström recognizes the pattern.
– If you identify yourself as a Jew on social media, you receive incredibly high amounts of threats. It has increased frequently, says Engström.
In her direct messages, “Sara” has received pictures of swastikas and dead bodies. “Die”, “hope you will drown”, “know where you live” – various users write. She says that a guy threatened to rape her.
– I was as scared as I could be, I turned off my mobile phone for several hours and could not sleep.
“Trendy to hate me”
“Sara” doesn’t go to school anymore as she doesn’t feel safe and has therefore had high absenteeism.
– On several occasions at school, people have sung hateful chants and shouted “free Palestine” when I passed by. I don’t feel welcome.
Almost a third of the anti-Semitic hate crimes that have been reported to the police in recent weeks come from schools.
– Israel is associated with Judaism. Jews have to suffer for what Israel does, says police chief Per Engström at Noa.
According to “Sara”, it’s because you don’t know the difference between people and country.
– I get a lot of hate now because it’s trendy to hate Jews. They think that if you stand up for a Jew then you agree with Israel, says “Sara”.