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Last update - 08:32 24/08/2009
Swedish Jews: Israel gave IDF organ harvesting claims center stage
By Assaf Uni, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: IDF, Aftonbladet, Sweden 

BERLIN - Lena Posner, president of the Official Council of Jewish Communities in Sweden, said Sunday that Israel's demand that Sweden officially condemn the article that accused Israel Defense Forces of harvesting Palestinian organs "had blown the issue completely out of proportion.

"No one even noticed the article - which is, incidentally, anti-Semitic and absolutely untruthful - when it was buried in the last pages of Aftonbladet," Posner explained. "But the Israeli response pushed the journalist who wrote it, Daniel Bostrom, to the front of the stage and into the heart of the Swedish mainstream."

"What's even worse is that by making the preposterous demand for a government condemnation, the debate has changed from anti-Semitism to freedom of speech in Sweden: Instead of concentrating on debunking the story, they have made it a freedom of speech issue. The government is not going to condemn the article - freedom of speech here is sacrosanct," added Posner, who said she could see how the Swedish mainstream media, which at first attacked the tabloid for printing the piece, were now supporting it, based on the principle of preserving the freedom of speech.
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The editorials in leading Swedish newspapers took a similar stand, rallying behind that principle and condemning the Israeli demands. "Freedom of speech is not something to apologize for," said a Svenska Dagbladet editorial this weekend. The daily also criticized the statement issued by the Swedish ambassador to Israel, Elisabeth Borsiin Bonnier, claiming the Swedish public was "appalled" by the article.

Sydsvenska Dagbladet also attacked the envoy, with an editorial that asked: "Since when was it the role of the government to represent, through its ambassador, the opinions of all Swedes, and to criticize the journalistic consideration of the free media?"

The results of a poll conducted by Svenska Dagbladet showed that 66 per cent of the 1,300 respondents ruled out offering any apology to Israel, 31 percent said the Aftonbladet should apologize, and only 3 percent supported a formal apology by the Swedish government. In addition, 92 percent of the 4,500 participants in a survey taken by the Dagens Nyheter newspaper said that Israel's demand for an apology was "unreasonable."

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      1.   Is it libel???? 06:12  |  PM Balkenende 24/08/09
      2.   Freedom of speech applies to the government as well 06:16  |  judith 24/08/09
      3.   Wise, sane Posner... a good, caring Swedish Jew 06:51  |  Esther 24/08/09
      4.   Absolutely Right! 07:04  |  Boyd 24/08/09
      5.   Blowing out of proportion is an israel speciality 07:08  |  Kris Lazar 24/08/09
      6.   Freedom of Speech or Credibility? 07:08  |  Jersey Boy 24/08/09
      7.   Convenient 07:24  |  sh 24/08/09
      8.   Swedish Jewish Spokesperson? 07:25  |  HAL 24/08/09
      9.   EXACTLYsue the author if he cant hide behind lax Swedish laws 07:42  |  PETER SM 24/08/09
      10.   Lena Posner 08:12  |  ron 24/08/09
      11.   This is libel, not freedom of the press. 08:14  |  Joe Sittizen 24/08/09
      12.   Why do you even need to be told this? 08:26  |  Johnboy 24/08/09
      13.   Here`s to freedom of speech! 08:36  |  SDHD 24/08/09
      14.   The Jewish people`s state, Israel, cannot tolerate and ignore ... 08:37  |  B. Gold 24/08/09
      15.   Judith, HAL... 08:44  |  Asterix 24/08/09
      16.   A small experiment in freedom of speech 08:44  |  Gil 24/08/09
      17.   To Jersey Boy 08:46  |  Uri 24/08/09
      18.   Israel and Iran are no democracys 08:46  |  Joe 24/08/09
      19.   HAL, smallest local Swedish newspapers... 08:56  |  Uri 24/08/09
      20.   Simple the Swedish gov`t must condem Libel article 09:11  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 24/08/09
      21.   How do you say Bullshit in Swedish? 09:12  |  JonathanInTelAviv 24/08/09
      22.   Pot calls kettle black 09:13  |  Michael G Angstreich 24/08/09
      23.   Freedom to tell lies 09:13  |  Alavai 24/08/09
      24.   what happened in Sweden during the Mohammed cartoons controversy? 09:14  |  Matteo 24/08/09
      25.   freedom of speech? 09:15  |  nadav 24/08/09
      26.   Swden Apologized to Muslims over cartoon 09:15  |  Baruch Gold 24/08/09
      27.   Cute Trick! Israel did not ask for an apology 09:31  |  George 24/08/09
      28.   Were they so brave back when? 09:33  |  Dov 24/08/09
      29.   Sweden . Let..... 09:43  |  The Teacher/Instruct 24/08/09
      30.   Israel should sue and demand compensation 09:54  |  Sue the Swedish 24/08/09
      31.   Give them their press freedom they deserve 10:04  |  ruben siedner 24/08/09
      32.   What a stupid response 10:05  |  Michael 24/08/09
      33.   It even made the headlines in the German evening news (ARD).... 10:15  |  Swiss (Dino) 24/08/09
      34.   Proportionality 10:19  |  JJ 24/08/09
      35.   Don`t stick your head up your butt. Editor admitted fake. 10:22  |  Joe Sittizen 24/08/09
      36.   Esther (#2) ``freedom of speech here is Sacrosanct`` As long as 10:25  |  Gil 24/08/09
      37.   Esther (#2) ``freedom of speech here is Sacrosanct`` As long as 10:26  |  Gil 24/08/09
      38.   semantics no excuse for disgusting " der sturmer" 10:32  |  v hardman 24/08/09
      39.   A small experiment in freedom of speech 10:32  |  Gil 24/08/09
      40.   A small experiment in freedom of speech 10:33  |  Gil 24/08/09
      41.   governments apologies 10:34  |  Saenger 24/08/09
      42.   Newspaper chief: "I`m not a Nazi" 10:37  |  Shaun Ryder 24/08/09
      43.   Over-progressive societies support the wrong causes 10:48  |  Paul 24/08/09
      44.   article 10:56  |  Robert 24/08/09
      45.   #27 Excuse Me Saenger ... 11:02  |  Tim R 24/08/09
      46.   RE #7 11:04  |  Carl 24/08/09
      47.   Work Harder Israel 11:05  |  Mark of Lewiston 24/08/09
      48.   Why do they still deny that they funded the report? 11:07  |  Binyamin Dissen 24/08/09
      49.   The most loved country in Euroup 11:09  |  C2 24/08/09
      50.   Israel strategy toward Sweden is failing. 11:12  |  Shamgar 24/08/09
      51.   PSM---please please please please sue him 11:15  |  Labhras 24/08/09
      52.   Condemnation not apology 11:22  |  Serge 24/08/09
      53.   LAZAR ITwas your side that rioted,murdered etc.after the cartoons 11:26  |  PETER SM 24/08/09
      54.   to 28 11:27  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      55.   #16 Ahem, Chaim, you appear to have a small problem 11:33  |  Johnboy 24/08/09
      56.   Lets face it--if true--it is pretty disgusting--even for 11:36  |  Labhras 24/08/09
      57.   Abu Kabir Operating Organ Warehouse. 11:37  |  un2here 24/08/09
      58.   apology vs. condemnation 11:37  |  Saenger 24/08/09
      59.   Just for your information 11:39  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      60.   reactons in muslim world over roundabout dog.2007 11:42  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      61.   reactions 2 11:44  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      62.   Freedom versus incitement 11:45  |  Sherlock Holmes 24/08/09
      63.   reactions 3 11:47  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      64.   #45 Well, I admire your chutzpah, Tim R. 11:47  |  Johnboy 24/08/09
      65.   What freedom of speech? 11:47  |  Esaias 24/08/09
      66.   reactions 4 11:49  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      67.   reactions 5 11:51  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      68.   Norwegans 11:51  |  Motic 24/08/09
      69.   Tim R 11:53  |  Sylvie 24/08/09
      70.   reactions 5 11:54  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      71.   Swedish libel laws 11:56  |  Avi 24/08/09
      72.   reactions 6 11:56  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      73.   Labhras (#51) 11:59  |  Gil 24/08/09
      74.   The Swedish foreign Secretary is due in Israel 12:02  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/08/09
      75.   # 16 gil 12:06  |  Axel 24/08/09
      76.   # 16 gil 12:06  |  Axel 24/08/09
      77.   #11 Joe Sittizen gets ahead of himself, again 12:08  |  Johnboy 24/08/09
      78.   #64 Johnboy - I owe you that. 12:09  |  S 24/08/09
      79.   # 25 alavai 12:09  |  Axel 24/08/09
      80.   # 32 michael 12:15  |  Axel 24/08/09
      81.   response 54 was to response 16 that is Gill 12:16  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      82.   #71 Avi asks some questions 12:19  |  Johnboy 24/08/09
      83.   A matter of principle? 12:23  |  Dunga 24/08/09
      84.   You still don`t get it... 12:25  |  Asterix 24/08/09
      85.   condemning a lie is not a violation of free speech 12:25  |  Observer 24/08/09
      86.   There is no way to physically "debunk" the story! 12:28  |  S 24/08/09
      87.   Is Israel really that weak? 12:46  |  Ruben Siedner 24/08/09
      88.   Illegal to condemn 12:46  |  Frode 24/08/09
      89.   #49 C2 12:47  |  jens 24/08/09
      90.   To Dunga in Amsterdam 12:48  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      91.   Shooting civilians under occupation 12:48  |  AB 24/08/09
      92.   The observer #85 (atm at least) 12:52  |  Walter 24/08/09
      93.   Yes it must be a shock that Israel cant bully sweden 12:53  |  ezra 24/08/09
      94.   Re: Aftonbladet 12:54  |  Peter 24/08/09
      95.   Freedom Of Speech To Lie, But Not To Condemn? 12:57  |  The Final Word 24/08/09
      96.   #3 Wise, sane Posner... a good, caring Swedish Jew 12:58  |  Good Caring 24/08/09
      97.   aftonbladet 13:01  |  Jan Lapter 24/08/09
      98.   One day Jews will flee Sweden, to seek safety in Denmark 13:08  |  Great Dane 24/08/09
      99.   #86 S 13:09  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/08/09
      100.   Thank you, Lena Posner 13:12  |  Peter Andersson 24/08/09
      101.   Re: Swedish libel laws. 13:14  |  Mikael 24/08/09
      102.   #85 Observer 13:14  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/08/09
      103.   #1 PM Balkenede 13:16  |  Sarah 24/08/09
      104.   #5 Kris Lazar 13:20  |  Sarah 24/08/09
      105.   Who is to say that the story is not true? one must investigate 13:34  |  Honor and Pride 24/08/09
      106.   There will be no condemtion 13:36  |  Tom 24/08/09
      107.   out of proption 13:37  |  EW 24/08/09
      108.   Lieberman has made a fool of Isarel in Europe 13:43  |  Joe 24/08/09
      109.   Congratulations Israel, you`ve succeeded 13:47  |  Swede, partly jewish 24/08/09
      110.   Lena Posner is right 14:04  |  Pelle 24/08/09
      111.   story is slander, but Israeli reaction definitely dumb 14:13  |  joki 24/08/09
      112.   About swedens re. to muhammad cartoons 14:33  |  Vidar 24/08/09
      113.   Prove it is not true 14:34  |  jc 24/08/09
      114.   Hi, S #86... the issue is far more complicated than that.... 14:50  |  Esther 24/08/09
      115.   #62 Sherlock Holmes 14:54  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/08/09
      116.   AXEL The Mohammed cartoons were just that. Cartoons! 14:55  |  PETER SM 24/08/09
      117.   Israeli step into mud talk 15:00  |  Nils 24/08/09
      118.   Can anyone explain... 15:00  |  Samuel 24/08/09
      119.   Time for a fatwa? 15:04  |  Per 24/08/09
      120.   Libel 15:05  |  Johann 24/08/09
      121.   Interesting that since Lieberman 15:07  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/08/09
      122.   Here`s your proof 15:10  |  Lese Majeste 24/08/09
      123.   Send Out The Pitbulls 15:21  |  Yaakov Sullivan 24/08/09
      124.   Earth to Posner 15:21  |  W 24/08/09
      125.   Publish articles on Sovjet agent Olof Palme and his 15:56  |  Absolute Sweden 24/08/09
      126.   From the mouth of ONE Palestinian 15:58  |  Lynn 24/08/09
      127.   what has been achieved 16:00  |  michael 24/08/09
      128.   Lena Posner 16:00  |  Kobi former Swede 24/08/09
      129.   Could anybody explain it to me? 16:08  |  Gene 24/08/09
      130.   ONE Palestinian from Gaza was interviewed 16:13  |  Lynn 24/08/09
      131.   What to do now 16:41  |  Mika 24/08/09
      132.   Ridiculous passive aggressiveness 16:43  |  Carole 24/08/09
      133.   freedom 16:52  |  udi 24/08/09
      134.   Stefan (#54 & #81) Yes Stefan there is! 16:53  |  Gil 24/08/09
      135.   Stefan (#54 & #81) Yes Stefan there is! 16:54  |  Gil 24/08/09
      136.   One has right to critisize, even if its Israel 16:56  |  J. Potmesil 24/08/09
      137.   The Lena Posner quotes that didn`t make it into HAARETZ: 16:57  |  Dr. L. Brnd 24/08/09
      138.   For those who think its an overreaction, look at Eurabian history 17:05  |  David 24/08/09
      139.   Freedom to Palestine! 17:06  |  Erik Larsson 24/08/09
      140.   Orthodox Jews hates democracy 17:13  |  papii 24/08/09
      141.   #120 Gene....It all comes down to free speech 17:15  |  Lynn 24/08/09
      142.   Perspective 17:22  |  Dan 24/08/09
      143.   Nils 17:25  |  danish 24/08/09
      144.   Israel owes Sweden an apology! 17:30  |  papii 24/08/09
      145.   Stefan (#54 & #81) Yes Stefan there is! 17:31  |  Gil 24/08/09
      146.   C2 17:31  |  SHIMI 24/08/09
      147.   Stefan (#54 & #81) Yes Stefan there is! 17:31  |  Gil 24/08/09
      148.   Per - the next step: 17:44  |  17 24/08/09
      149.   Explaining things to Gene 17:45  |  Walter 24/08/09
      150.   Hey lena 18:01  |  alan the real one 24/08/09
      151.   Gene 18:03  |  Greup 24/08/09
      152.   re 15 hey Asterix 18:06  |  alan the real one 24/08/09
      153.   Re: Gene 120 Could anybody explain it to me 18:08  |  Niclas 24/08/09
      154.   So---66% of Swedes feel no need to apologize to Isael 18:09  |  Michael Greenberg 24/08/09
      155.   Spreading blood libels against Jews is not a matter of "blowing 18:17  |  Amihai, a proud Jew 24/08/09
      156.   Not the first time... 18:29  |  Dan 24/08/09
      157.   My last Saab 18:33  |  Jay 24/08/09
      158.   #99 Chris Linthwaite 18:34  |  S 24/08/09
      159.   Aw c`mon Johnboy 77, you split hairs for nothing 18:36  |  Joe Sittizen 24/08/09
      160.   re 122 papii 18:36  |  alan the real one 24/08/09
      161.   Fire Lieberman Now!!! 18:44  |  Robert 24/08/09
      162.   re 120 let me explain it Gene 18:45  |  alan the real one 24/08/09
      163.   Hello Esther #114 18:50  |  S 24/08/09
      164.   Lena is completely wrong 18:51  |  Her childhood friend 24/08/09
      165.   # 120 I can try to explain 18:53  |  Mark Klamberg 24/08/09
      166.   #124 Michael Greenburg 18:54  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/08/09
      167.   Swedes will now think twice before they print "hate stories" 19:01  |  Jason 24/08/09
      168.   Swede`s should know that court is already in session 19:36  |  Jason 24/08/09
      169.   Israel Doeth Protest too Much 19:50  |  Gray (ben Censored?) 24/08/09
      170.   To Gil that got answer and ask new questions 20:00  |  Stefan 24/08/09
      171.   Correct Gil about the Muhammed cartoons 20:05  |  Martin 24/08/09
      172.   Israel digs a hole 20:08  |  Markus 24/08/09
      173.   Speaking for who? 20:08  |  Jan Bergman 24/08/09
      174.   Clarification 20:14  |  Richard 24/08/09
      175.   #123 Gil 20:22  |  Magnus 24/08/09
      176.   Israel deserves it. 20:23  |  Adnan 24/08/09
      177.   Freedom of speech in Sweden 20:27  |  White Caucasian 24/08/09
      178.   Has anyone stopped to ask... 20:35  |  Neil 24/08/09
      179.   Congratulations 20:35  |  Colin Wright 24/08/09
      180.   Israel would loose the boycott war, most certainly 20:45  |  JHoward 24/08/09
      181.   #99 Chris Linthwaite (2nd try) 20:55  |  S 24/08/09
      182.   Fertile Ground For Aftonbladet`s report 20:56  |  Gray 24/08/09
      183.   Could anybody explain it to me? 21:15  |  Goran Bockman 24/08/09
      184.   Botched 21:23  |  Mark Lincoln 24/08/09
      185.   #99 Chris Linthwaite (3rd try) 21:28  |  S 24/08/09
      186.   Mark of Lewiston - that was not their concern 21:28  |  Mark Lincoln 24/08/09
      187.   Hello Esther #114 (3rd try) 21:29  |  S 24/08/09
      188.   To 127: Thank you for your comment 21:35  |  Esther 24/08/09
      189.   What happened last time muslim extremists burned the Swedish flag 21:44  |  Richard 24/08/09
      190.   #127 White Caucasian...the Gates of Vienna blog 22:29  |  Lynn 24/08/09
      191.   Its already sacrosanct truth in the Arab world 22:50  |  RfaelMoshe 24/08/09
      192.   Joki and others 23:59  |  Jasper 24/08/09
      193.   Israel-Sweden-Donald Boström-Aftonbladet 00:05  |  Joanna Bankier 25/08/09
      194.   honor and pride? in London 00:11  |  Christopher 25/08/09
      195.   Makes perfect sense 00:38  |  Gully Foyle 25/08/09
      196.   Sweden/Israel 01:11  |  Richard 25/08/09
      197.   #64 Good Old Johnboy Is At It Again ... 01:38  |  Tim R 25/08/09
      198.   #69 Sylvie 01:52  |  Tim R 25/08/09
      199.   JC Prove its true.If you make allegations its your call 02:21  |  PETER SM 25/08/09
      200.   To Goran Brockman 02:38  |  Gene 25/08/09
      201.   Mohammad cartoons 02:53  |  Dennis K 25/08/09
      202.   Fertile Ground, Worldwide, For Aftonbladet`s report 03:05  |  Gray 25/08/09
      203.   Lynn 03:17  |  Hugh 25/08/09
      204.   Fertile Ground, Worldwide, For Aftonbladet`s report 03:33  |  Gray 25/08/09
      205.   100% of Swedish should learn about Sweden`s shamefull WW2 04:35  |  Ami Israel Goldman 25/08/09
      206.   GRAY fertile feverish brain.Your heroes have been killing Jews in 05:05  |  PETER SM 25/08/09
      207.   To Gene 05:46  |  Stefan 25/08/09
      208.   posner&esther-freedom of speech does not mean to yell "fire" in a 05:51  |  feige 25/08/09
      209.   Congradulations to Israel!!! 06:00  |  US CITIZEN 25/08/09
      210.   Are you slow? 06:06  |  Goran Bockman 25/08/09
      211.   Use "freedom of speech" to freely condemn that which is designed 06:53  |  Amihai 25/08/09
      212.   #29, TEACHER/INSTRUCT 08:21  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 25/08/09
      213.   That is the crux of the controversy 08:58  |  EW 25/08/09
      214.   #64 Good Old Johnboy Is At It Again ... 09:16  |  Tim R 25/08/09
      215.   Swedish Law 10:26  |  Stefan 25/08/09
      216.   Israel will loose the boycott war, most certainly 14:24  |  JHoward 25/08/09
      217.   to Ami Israel Goldman 16:41  |  Aksel 25/08/09
      218.   #177, White Caucasian 20:30  |  Samuel 25/08/09
      219.   #214 Tim R corners the market in straw men 01:43  |  Johnboy 26/08/09
      220.   #213 No, that`s quite untrue, EW 05:02  |  Johnboy 26/08/09
      221.   #159 Splitting hairs is rather better than.... 11:38  |  Johnboy 26/08/09
      222.   Axel, Johnboy, Linthwaite - Why support a Blood Libel 22:08  |  Reid 28/08/09
      223.   Swedish Jews 06:00  |  Rick Oringel 18/09/09
      224.   After all, what if Bostrom is right? 10:27  |  Miron 02/10/09
      225.   the debate didn`t change from Anto - Semite 10:36  |  Miron 02/10/09
      226.   Self hating Jews they are not 10:53  |  Miron 02/10/09
      227.   Now I know where the phrase "Stockholm syndrome" comes from 17:04  |  Happy and Proud 04/10/09
      228.   Daniel Bostrom an Freedom of Speech 23:55  |  Nina 01/11/09
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