If all of this becomes reality, that we see the hostages being released and that there will be a more or less stable peace, then I think it will have a very positive effect. Of course for Israel and Palestine, but also for Jews around the world, says Verständig.
He says that it felt like the dams burst when it comes to antisemitism in Sweden after October 7, 2023.
People in different positions and in different forums expressed grossly antisemitic views in a way that would not have been possible in Sweden before October 7.
Affected children and young people
Richard Mühlrad, chairman of the Jewish Community in Stockholm, also believes that peace would have a major impact on the situation for Jews in Sweden.
I absolutely believe that antisemitism will decrease to some extent, slowly but surely, but also that the entire threat against the Jewish population in Sweden will decrease enormously.
Mühlrad says that it has been two difficult and sad years in the community, where one has seen how antisemitism has increased sharply. It has not least affected younger Jews in Sweden, he says.
We have many children and especially young people in schools and universities who have been exposed to very gross antisemitism.
Hiding Jewish identity
Many Jews in Sweden have chosen not to openly show Jewish symbols in public, he says.
That one does not dare to live as a Jew in Sweden after we have been here for 250 years, it feels incredibly sad.
Aron Verständig believes that there will be a need for a debate in Sweden about where the boundary goes for how one may express oneself when one has different opinions. He specifically mentions Palestine demonstrations, which he believes have taken on increasingly aggressive expressions in Sweden.
We must have different opinions, but the type of aggressive behavior we have seen where one tries to disrupt opinions one does not share, if we continue on that path, I think it is a very dangerous direction in Sweden.
