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Last update - 21:16 25/10/2009
Swedish paper behind IDF organ theft claims warns against Muslim threat
By Morten Berthelsen
Tags: Israel news, Sweden 

The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, which sparked a diplomatic crisis between Israel and Sweden by publishing an article accusing Israeli soldiers of plundering Palestinians' organs, has fuelled a new row by printing an op-ed claiming that Muslims pose the greatest foreign threat to Swedish society since the Second World War.

The opinion piece by Jimmie Akesson, the leader of Swedish nationalist political party, the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna), has prompted harsh condemnations and accusations of racism from all political party leaders, including Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
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Some Swedish politicians are demanding that the Sweden Democrats be denied access to parliament, and the non-profit organization Centrum mot rasism (Center against racism) has even filed a suit with the Chancellor of Justice in Sweden calling for an indictment of the political party for persecuting an ethnic group.


In his piece, Akesson warns of a near future in which Muslims have increased their presence throughout Europe, whose larger cities and capitals "in all likelihood will have a Muslim majority."

"As a Sweden Democrat I see this [growing number of Muslims] as our greatest foreign threat since World War II and I promise to do everything in my power to end this tendency when we go to the elections next year."

Akesson's main arguments against Islam are that the Koran lacks a new testament, that Muslims have a higher than average birth rate, and that the rootlessness caused by a multiethnic society is making "many second and third generation immigrants seek Islam as an identity creating, unifying force, and now we experience a process of radicalization among Muslim youth in Europe."

"Twenty years ago, I think most Swedes would have had a many difficulties believing Islam would become Sweden's second largest religion, that Swedish artists who criticize Islam would live under constant death threats, that ten or so terrorist organizations would be established in Sweden... that Swedish County Councils would spend tax payer's money cutting off the foreskin of healthy young boys... that refrigerated counters in our supermarkets would offer ritually slaughtered meat at the same time as Swedish kindergartens cease to serve pork," Akesson wrote.

In August, Aftonbladet provoked outrage in Israel for its story on transplant organ theft, a report an Israeli official branded anti-Semitic "hate porn", and that was widely denigrated as blood libel. Editor-in-Chief of Aftonbladet, Jan Helin, refused to condemn the article, as did Swedish political leaders.

Helin then hit back hard at Israel for attacking his paper's coverage, saying the article was an opinion piece that raised questions about Israel in the context of a suspected link to a U.S. case about organ trafficking. Helin denied any suggestion of anti-Semitism on the part of his paper.

He countered the Israeli accusations by saying: "It's deeply unpleasant and sad to see such a strong propaganda machine using centuries-old anti-Semitic images in an apparent attempt to get an obviously topical issue off the table."

Before publishing the Akesson opinion piece, Helin had it carefully reviewed by a number of Sweden's leading experts on criminal law and freedom of speech and of the press. Several advised against publishing the piece, as Helin may face charges of persecution of an ethnic group.

"I take that risk and will publish the article. Jimmie Akesson's text is important because it very clearly shows on which core values the party [Sweden Democrats] that is heading to the parliament rests," Helin wrote on the newspaper's website a justification for publishing the piece. "The Sweden Democrats stand not for Nazism today, neither the humanism of [world-renowned Swedish author] Astrid Lindgren. So what do they stand for? Read Jimmie Akesson's article and ponder."

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      1.   They are trying to look "balanced" 20:25  |  Tom 25/10/09
      2.   warns against Muslim threat 20:29  |  Ralph 25/10/09
      3.   For once, credible news 20:37  |  Swede 25/10/09
      4.   Swedish government should keep its mouth shut - freedom of speec 20:39  |  Remember? 25/10/09
      5.   Swedish prime minister proves to be anti semitic!!!! 20:53  |  arthur 25/10/09
      6.   ,,,And here come the usual dozen Jew-haters to teach us how... 20:56  |  flyingdoc57 25/10/09
      7.   May I please reiterate... 21:00  |  Motic 25/10/09
      8.   Yes, where`s the freedom of speech now? 21:08  |  Uri 25/10/09
      9.   flyingdoc57 is the MAN!! GREAT POST .. 21:09  |  manuel 25/10/09
      10.   to call a spade a spade 21:31  |  tiki Belgium 25/10/09
      11.   They are a racist party, but it supports israel 21:43  |  D 25/10/09
      12.   Freedom of Speech is sacred.And no Govt official is allowed to 21:51  |  Lemming 25/10/09
      13.   Finally. 21:54  |  flower 25/10/09
      14.   #3 Swede....there is a raging argument 22:06  |  Lynn 25/10/09
      15.   What happened to "freedom of speech?" 22:12  |  A TRUE American 25/10/09
      16.   the truth stings 22:17  |  Observer 25/10/09
      17.   Israeli Jews would be OK with such an article 22:22  |  Marc Leb 25/10/09
      18.   Editorial and news section 22:27  |  Apa 25/10/09
      19.   They are balanced: racists 100%, antisemites and...well, you know 22:40  |  Israeli citizen 25/10/09
      20.   Confused 22:55  |  Rami 25/10/09
      21.   flying doc--they are simply proving they are an independant Newsp 23:01  |  need for us to tell 25/10/09
      22.   Sweden is ours 23:25  |  Swedish Waqf 25/10/09
      23.   Akesson is right! 23:48  |  Eric 25/10/09
      24.   Message For Aftonbladet - Hire Good Security Guards 23:54  |  massaraksh 25/10/09
      25.   Sweden IDF 23:56  |  Jerry Ram 25/10/09
      26.   to (18) (apa) 07:19  |  tiki Belgium 26/10/09
      27.   Western medias. 08:15  |  B. Gold 26/10/09
      28.   Muslim Rape Epidemic in Sweden and Norway - Authorities Look the 08:44  |  Disgusted 26/10/09
      29.   It can`t be palestine or all because of a mosque ! 08:52  |  Akram Zekatia 26/10/09
      30.   Violent immigrant attacks in Swedes are breaking records again. 10:59  |  PETER SM 26/10/09
      31.   Yes it is different 11:09  |  O 26/10/09
      32.   RE 31: O, "Yes it is different" 18:10  |  Ante 26/10/09
      33.   #6 to flyingdoc re: the difference (3rd try) 18:54  |  eric 26/10/09
      34.   Bloggers should keep in mind that Islamist intimidation of lib 18:59  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 26/10/09
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