The demonstrators, from the network Jewish Anti-Zionist Alliance, stood outside a Jewish school in central Stockholm, which provoked strong reactions. The Moderate Party's group leader Mattias Karlsson described the individuals as "monsters" in a post on X, which was shared by Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).
According to the network, the demonstration was directed against a lecture with a former soldier in the Israeli army held in the same building as the school. The individuals behind emphasized that the demonstration was held after school hours.
On Thursday, it was communicated that a police report had been filed against Karlsson regarding incitement against a ethnic group.
"Rhetorical tool"
"Calling peaceful demonstrators monsters is a classic rhetorical tool to justify oppression and portray political opponents as less worthy. When this is directed against Jews, whose historical persecution Karlsson himself often highlights, the action is particularly cynical and dangerous," said Alexandra Esser, one of the organizers behind the demonstration in a press release.
The report landed with Lars Morand, Chief Prosecutor Special Prosecution Chamber, who on Friday announced that no preliminary investigation would be initiated.
"The current comment can, in itself, be understood as an expression of contempt for the group of people participating in the demonstration, but does not, in my opinion, constitute an expression of disdain for such a group of people as intended in the provision on incitement against ethnic groups. I have therefore decided not to initiate a preliminary investigation," he says in a press release from the Prosecution Authority
"Freedom of speech"
Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) defended on Thursday that she shared Karlsson's post.
These demonstrators have the right to exercise their freedom of speech, but I also have the right to exercise my freedom of speech. And I want to express how inappropriate this is, she told TT.
