“An incorrect translation of a clip of Sweden’s prime minister is being spread on social media. Do not contribute to this. What he said is that Sweden and the EU firmly stand behind Israel’s right to defend itself,” writes Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday night on X, formerly Twitter.
In the video clips in question, which are from an open question and answer session in Gothenburg on Tuesday, Kristersson is heard saying “Sweden and the EU are united in that Israel has the right to people…to defense within the framework of international law”.
Along with the clips, an incorrect translation is now being spread that the prime minister said that “Israel has the right to commit genocide”.
The incorrect claims about what the prime minister has said were spread on social media on Thursday to Arabic-speaking media, which Today’s news was the first to report on.
The terrorist researcher: Can contribute to an increased threat image
In some of the clips that have been circulated, the sound is unclear when Kristersson says “within the framework of international law”, while he is drowned out by loud reactions from audience members.
Terror researcher Magnus Ranstorp speaks The evening paper that the incorrect quote, in combination with the Koran burnings and the LVU campaign, can contribute to an increased threat image against Sweden. And that it reinforces the image that is being spread that Sweden would be an anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim country.
At the same time, Ranstorp believes that, for example, Turkey and Russia may benefit from the situation.
TT has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a comment.