unsaveSave
Ulrika Knutson, chairman of the Swedish Committee against Anti-Semitism (SKMA).
1 / 3Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
SD accuses the Swedish Committee against Antisemitism (SKMA) of being a political actor, following criticism that the party ignores antisemitism in its own ranks. The accusation surprises chairman Ulrika Knutson.
– The very idea that we would act politically is absurd, she tells TT.
Ulrika Knutson talks about her reaction to SD’s statement.
– I was very surprised, says Ulrika Knutson in an interview with TT, which takes place in connection with a conference in Stockholm on anti-Semitism after the Hamas terrorist attack in October last year and which SKMA organizes.
– We are a small people-forming organization, politically and religiously unbound. SKMA criticizes anti-Semitism regardless of where it occurs, our criticism of the Left Party and SD in recent times is an example of that. The idea that we would enter into a political debate is completely foreign to us and our business.
“Our Mission”
The origin was a party leader debate in September. During the debate, SD leader Jimmie Åkesson accused V and S of not addressing problems with anti-Semitism in the parties. He was backed by KD leader Ebba Busch, who believed that the left could learn from Åkesson’s work to clean out the party.
In a post on its website, SKMA wrote that SD’s own action against anti-Semitism is not credible and gave examples of people within the party who spoke out against anti-Semitism but were still allowed to stay.
– After all, SKMA is a small, tight-knit organization which, among other things, consists of researchers who study facts and what is happening. It is our mission to establish and highlight that what was said in the debate may not have much to do with reality, says Knutson.
“Pleasant for us”
SD’s response was quick.
“From now on, we regard SKMA as a political actor, whose activities largely consist of forming opinions against Tidösamarbetet in general, and the Sweden Democrats in particular,” wrote party leader Jimmie Åkesson and several other party leaders on Aftonbladet’s debate.
– It is clear that I have thought about what is behind it. If Jimmy Åkesson believes that he and the party have something to gain from the whole thing – and I don’t know that, Knutson tells TT.
What Knutson was able to ascertain, however, was the effect of SD’s action.
– And it was interesting. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson very clearly put his foot down and gave us full support. He testified, along with most other party leaders, that SKMA had made great efforts. It was very gratifying for us.
Anti-Semitism like a bat
SD’s actions during the debate are, according to Knutson, an example of the polarization that stands in the way of solving the complex problem of anti-Semitism.
– Voices both on the left and the right use it as a bat. You can’t get away from the fact that the temptation to use the bat is stronger than the determination to do something about the issues, says Knutson.
FAKTASKMA, V and SD
Since Hamas’ large-scale terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, left-wing representatives, some in prominent positions, have been exposed as expressing anti-Semitism and praising terrorist-classified organizations. SKMA has repeatedly criticized the party for this and for not having acted quickly enough.
SKMA has also criticized Ebba Busch and Jimmie Åkesson for not being credible advocates against antisemitism after they debated because SD was better at tackling the problems.
“Åkesson leads a party that not only has its roots in Nazism, but which even today includes a number of representatives at various levels who have expressed anti-Semitism,” wrote Ulrika Knutson after the debate.
SD has responded that SKMA’s criticism is a “party submission”, that the institute has a political agenda and that the funding should be withdrawn – for which SD has received no support.
Read more