Anti-Semitism may be spurring wave of aliyah from Sweden
Christian Zionist official: Now it is less pleasant for some Jews in Sweden, young people head to Israel.
By Cnaan Liphshiz Tags: Jewish World Israel news Sweden anti-Semitism2009 may prove to be a peak year for immigration from Sweden, according to Jewish and Christian Zionist officials involved in facilitating this immigration, which they say may be connected with anti-Semitism and Israel-hatred in Sweden.
"We are seeing an upward trend in interest in aliyah (immigration to Israel) from Sweden, possibly owing in part at least to various attacks on Jews," said Howard Flower, director of aliyah for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
According to Aryeh Jacobson, who represents the Jewish Agency in Sweden, 24 immigrants from Sweden finalized their aliyah during the first eight months of 2009 ? exceeding the total of 16 during all of 2008. This figure also tops the average number of Swedish immigrants per year, totaling 19 new arrivals.
Flower, who heads the Russian branch of the Evangelical Zionist body from a permanent office in St. Petersburg, Russia, describes the anti-Israeli protests in Malmo in March surrounding a tennis match between Israeli and Swedish players as a watershed occurrence.
"There is suspicion that there maybe an increase in aliyah because of the events in Malmo," said Flower, "but also because of other attacks by Islamic fundamentalists in Sweden and their non-Muslim Swedish sympathizers."
Swedish police arrested more than 100 people in March at violent riots outside the arena where Sweden and Israel played in the Davis Cup. The matches were played without spectators because of the riots, which carried anti-Semitic overtones.
Flower's organization has for several years been handling and subsidizing aliyah flights from Scandinavia and facilitating the arrival of Scandinavian Jews to Israel for the Jewish Agency, which does not have permanent staff of its own in that part of the world.
"In Malmo, it is not a good idea to walk with a skull cap or wear a Star of David in the street," said Raffi Zender, a prospective new immigrant from the city who said the riots and "the atmosphere they represented" were "an important part" of his decision to leave, as well as some of his friends.
Zender - whose two older sisters immigrated to Israel over the past few years - added this month's issue of the community's publication focuses on anti-Semitism, and whether Malmo Jews should hide their Jewishness or advertise it in protest of the current situation.
Jacobson, the emissary for Bnei Akiva to Scandinavia ? who also represents the Jewish Agency ? says that some aliyah applicants from 2009 have already immigrated to Israel while others are expected to come within weeks.
The Jewish population of Sweden numbers roughly 18,000 people. Stockholm has the largest community, but Malmo with its 1,000-strong community is also an important center. Gothenburg, Borås, Helsingborg, Lund, and Uppsala also have Jewish communities.
In Sweden, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has taken on the Jewish Agency's traditional role, and is currently organizing and paying in full for immigrant flights to Israel.
The Christian Zionist organization allows immigrants from Sweden to take aboard 75 kilograms of luggage instead of the usual 20 kilograms limit. The flights also offer certified kosher meals ? a rare commodity in Sweden. People from distant towns receive free boarding near the international airport while waiting for the flight to Israel.
"Since WWII, the Jews have enjoyed safety in Sweden," says Flower, the organization's aliyah manager. "But, it seems that temporarily, maybe now it is less pleasant for some Jews in Sweden, and young people are leading the way back to Israel."
But Flower recognizes that some community members and leaders have a less alarmist view of the scale of anti-Israeli sentiment in Sweden, and the degree to which it affects the lives of Jews. "The Jewish community is very diversified and just about every opinion about this issue can be found in its spectrum of views," he said.
Flower also noted that the recent scandalous publication of an article which accuses Israeli soldiers of killing Palestinians and harvesting their organs may push others to leave as well.
"People are not telling me that they decided to come to Israel from Sweden because of the riots in Malmo or anti-Israel sentiments," said Jacobson, the 28-year-old son of veteran immigrants from Sweden who are now living in Jerusalem. Speaking from his office in Gothenburg, he added: "They tell me they wanted to come to Israel all along, and are now more confident about their decision."
During Operation Cast Lead, Sweden saw a number of pro-Palestinian rallies, and an attempt to set fire to a synagogue. "The main voice heard in the media was the Palestinians and the images came from Al Jazeera," Jacobson said. "What remained for the average Swede was to conjure up anti-Semitic hatred and go on radio talk shows to tell listeners that Jewish law preaches to kill anyone who isn't Jewish."
Jacobson nonetheless noted that Jews in Gothenburg "do not suffer too many expressions of anti-Semitism," but added this may be connected to the fact that "they do not show their Jewishness."
Two weeks passed before paramedic Raffi Zender from Malmo, Sweden, received permission to tell Israeli media about his close encounter with rowing champion Yasmin Feingold, immediately after her near-fatal drowning in the Yarkon Stream in May. But by then, the press had lost interest.
Zender, who will be making aliyah to Israel in a few weeks, was a paramedic for Magen David Adom while attending a Bnei Akiva program in Israel. He was the first paramedic to reach Feingold, a medal-winning athlete who inhaled the stream's polluted water after flipping over with her kayak. But MDA officials allowed Zender to tell the story only 14 days later.
"She was unconscious and I gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until she was taken away," he recalls, telling the story to the media for the first time. "There was polluted water coming out of her mouth and no one there knew whether she would survive."
Onlookers used their cellular phones to record videos of Feingold as she was drowning, explaining later they were afraid to jump in to rescue her because of the pollution, which in 1997 caused the death of three people who inhaled the water in the Maccabiah bridge collapse.
She fully recovered after being rescued by a passerby, Avi Toibin, 62, who leaped into the stream's water ? now significantly detoxified - almost as soon as he saw her, suffering no medical problems as a result of the exposure.
Zender, 20 whose mother is Israeli and who speaks fluent Hebrew, says he wasn't worried about coming into contact with the water on Feingold's mouth. "I wasn't aware of the pollution issue at the time. I would have jumped in to rescue her had I seen her drowning without understanding the problem at all."
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I agree with Dr Schadenfreude, not about the palestinian sufering (i mean, they live better there than their brothers in other arabic countries and the whole problem started a few decades away, long after the creation of israel state, i mean there was a long period of quiet and peace after 6 day war until the extremist showed up), but about the jews not returning beeing ungrateful... I still dont understand what are jews doing all around the world? now its a little antisemitism in sweden, tommorow, london, afterwards argentina, is it not clear that we dont belong there? we prayed almost 2000 years to return, so what are we waiting? and if u ask me, its a shame we were born in other countries other than israel, its just a consequence of a disaster that happened to our people a long time ago, not an ideal state at all... "Ve shavu banim ligbulam" "And the sons will return to their borders"
No new news, antisemitism in any form is a very old remedy used by Christians for centuries, aka, expulsion of Spain, masacres in York, Russia, Poland, etc. Jews were, areamd will be the scapegoats of all maladies in the world, it is very convenient for any goverment to do it, this way thay can clean up their acts.
I'm not sure how what you're talking about has anything to do with me or my posts. However I'd be happy to agree with you that in Sweden there are many who abandon the religion of their parents. This doesn't only apply to Muslim women, I can't recall having met more than a handful of my generation who are believers.
Now i understand why you were so defensive. As long as you deplore the attacks instead of denying them, you are on the right side. The main problems are culture and unemployment. Many Muslim woman would rather be Swedish than Muslin as they experience a sense of equality and freedom. It is the prize and price of a free society.
Loyality?? Zionist have only one loyality and that is to Israel. The country that they are born is irrelevent to them.
What the zionist dont understand is that occupation, reckless killing of civilians in Gaza and WB, occupation, confining people in an open prison and them bombing children, women and seniors strengthens the Terrosists (AKA Freedom fighters) and their resolve to fight back till the last breath.
Do some factchecking ffs, this "article" gives a completely untrue picture of life in Sweden. By the way, if 24 people out of 18,000 emigrate I think it might be a little early to talk about a "wave". That fact alone should prove that the image that this piece gives is not true.
This article illustrates the alarming issue Sweden and European contries are facing. Their indifference to anti semetism is unbelievable. This is in thanks to their bias media made more evident with the recent article in Sweden about Jews stealing Palestinian organs. The Europeans will need to decide if its worth all Jews leaving for the sake of keeping the Islamic extremist calm. I think we all know how they act if they dont get their way. Personally, as a Jew if I were living in Sweden I would pack up my stuff and head to Israel.
In what way did the protests in Malmö carry anti-semitic overtones?! What is this talk about anti-semitism in Sweden all about? I can certify that anti-semitism in my country in very rare. There is a widespread resentment about Israels policies, particularly during the war in Gaza, but that is a completely different matter, isn't it?
It is a lie that someone was beaten up because they trid to stop some riotors at that demo! In the demo were not only persons protesting the war in Gaza but also sympathizers with hamas and hissbolah, and many demostrants were shanting references to killings of jews! Hypocrate!
No 24 is not a big number, but when you add on young jews that leave Malmö for Stockholm, Copenhagen, London and N.Y. on top of these figures we end up in considerate numbers. No, they do not leave because of the weather, summer hasd been fairly nice, they leave because of harassments, in schools, in taxis, in the streets of malmö. And the jewish community has to pay for it's own security.
It is not a big number at all. people in sweden moves a lot. As someone said I even think people are moving more to Vietnam each annual year than to Israel.
I do think that Brad has the wrong picture about subtle thinking. Tell us Brad, teach us, we who think that it is not the same thing.
... indeed smashing. 24 vs.16! A real tsunami, which will be called "the sixth alyiah wave" in zionist historiography. I guess at any given year more Swedish Jews make "aliyah" to Germany than to Israel in this "peak year" plus five years prior. Lipshiz wraps this demographic fact in the magic verbal formula that can smuggle just any conceivable claptrap into headlines of the main Israeli paper: "anti-Semitism may be...". But this one steals the show: "possibly owing in part at least to various attacks...", coming ,for some peculiar reason, from an official of ICEJ. The "may have", "possibly owing" and "in part at least" are just as good in assuming more plausibly that the Int. Ministry was less lenient this year with formalizing the Swedish applicants. Big or risible, fake or not, the "wave" is good enough to "evidence" the wave of antisemitism in the country where it's nearly absent. Given that, why would Liphshitz care to ask those 8 applicants what were their reasons...
Let all 18.000 come now. Ahhhhh yes I remember them well from 67!!!!
Who in his right mind would move from Sweden to Israel? Sweden is a country dedicated to neutrality with one of the highest standards of living and one of the best social safety nets in the world. It is a haven of tolerance and welcomes asylum seekers from around the world. Why would anyone leave that for Israel? Oh yes and it doesn't hurt that they have stunning women as well.
I'll suspend my suspicion and accept that you genuinely think that being against Zionism is not being anti-semitic. Let me just say that your not a subtle thinker.
The genesis of the occupation was an event that saved Israel. So, in origin the occupation and Israel are intimately connected. Why didn't Israel leave after 1967? Why didn't the Arabs agree to Israel's offer and why did the Arab world burst with pride with the 3 famoous "no's, no peace, no recognition and no negotiations? Wake me when all three are accepted, you know the 3 conditions Israel offered up in 1967 in exchange for withdrawel - all after an attack designed to terminate the state.
On the contrary, they are voting with their feet. They are moving to Israel for safety and you and everyone who knows the genesis of the so-called occupation knows that it to was a prooduct of Pal and Arab armies attempt to liquidate Israel. You know "Yaakov", the entire Arab world would be much better of under the yolk of occupation. But who in their right mind would do that volunatarily. Yuk.
The average number per year is 19. The random error on this is 4.35. So this year, there is 1.15 sigma excess relative to the mean. This is laughably statistically insignificant. And the random error is probably larger, if people emigrate in families rather than as individuals, so the significance is even smaller. The state of modern numeracy is sad indeed.
Time to go home.Sweden became lethat to Jews. Eventually it will become lethal to itself.
So Jews must tow your line or leave the country. I'll do you one better. Antizionists like yourself must be permanently barred from Israel.
you zionists just don't understand, we're not anti-semitic, we don't hate all jews, we don't like zionists and their violent ways, and as i keep saying, these same zionists are screwing everything up for all the good jews, learn to distinguish what the swedes are complaining about, many more others will join them, and soon.
There is a difference between the occupation and Israel. Or perhaps that is beyond your understanding?
Europe has is and alaways will be a hotbed of antisemitism.Leave now they do not want us so why should we stay.Europe will be better off with the muslims than with us Jews.So Mulims move to Europe they will welcome you with open arms just to get rid of us.
The 100 rioters in Malmö were not affiliated with the 4000 peaceful anti-Israel demonstrators. The 100 troublemakers infiltrated the demonstration line and sought to fight against the police, similar in style to G8 meeting rioters. The police parked their vans next to the 100 black dressed rioters, let the rioters demolish the vans unhindered while media got the pictures they wanted, and thereafter moved in to arrest the rioters. The organisers of the peaceful demonstration tried to stop the rioters and were beaten up as a result.
and anti-semitism is not included.
24, so whats the deal. Swedish people is moving a lot around the world. If you check the numbers that moves to Thiland every year its a lot greater than that. What are they fleeing from? Harrasment by the cold weather goods? Put the number in a bigger picture before getting upset. 24 is nothing!
Wrong again, judith! Israeli criminal actions, like Cast Lead, naturally cause anti-Zionist feelings to grow throughout the world. Unfortunately, this can lead to antisemitism by those who cannot see the difference between all Jews and the Zionists. This suits the Zionists because it brings more Jews to Israel. Don't forget that Israel tried to provoke antisemitism in Egypt and Iraq years ago for this very purpose.
And how many will return from Israel to Sweden this year? Sweden is an open society. Some immigrants/ refugees are not allowed to stay permanently in Sweden. E.g, many refugees from Iraq are sent back (by force). If 24 out of 30000 jews leave Sweden 29976 remains. And they certainly are having a good time in our friendly country ...
We keep reading that there is an upsurge of young secular Jews leaving Israel - especially to places such as Australia. 24 Jewish Swedes are hardly likely to swing the balance!
"Expressions of anti-Zionism lead to anti-semitic attacks " That first part of your post is well understood by the Jew haters for that is their goal.
After all the grief that the Palestinians have had to endure for an Israel to exist, it seems slightly ungrateful for Jews not to return to what they claim as their birthright! 24 is hardly a wave of returnees, that averages two a month! One has to question the loyalty of these people to the country in which they were born.
You are just so right, Paddy, force the Jews in Sweden condemn Israel so that they can live there without fear. If they don't, then they deserve whatever they get. Sounds just like the treatment that Jews get in Syria and Iran.
This aricel propose that there is a growing Anti-semitism in Sweden I do not agree with that. On the other hand there is a shanged atitude to the Israel/Palestinien conflict. For years the Swedish media and the Swedish opinion have been very pro-Israelic. That has changed starting from the last Libanon ware. This negative attitude to Israel, both in media and public opinion strengten during the last war in Gasa. I do not see this as Anti-Semitism but more as a protest against two wars that have had an grate impact on the civil population in Lebanon and Gasa.
Expressions of anti-Zionism lead to anti-semitic attacks , which in turn strengthens Zionism and Jewish immigration to Israel.
They should take a stand on the occupation and come out vociferously against it. Let them come out as a community with a moral voice. Do not let zionist agencies stir up this pot as they did with the whole issue in that Swedish rag, anohter incident that would have been forgotten had Israel not turned it into an international incident. Swedes are not anti-semites. They simply can no longer stomach Israel's hypocaracy and double standard.
'...24 immigrants from Sweden finalized their aliyah during the first eight months of 2009 ? exceeding the total of 16 during all of 2008...' You're sure your infrastructure can take the strain? I mean, you've got the absorption centers ready, you're building the necessary housing?