Ulrika Knutson tells about her reaction to the SD's statement.
I was very surprised, says Ulrika Knutson in an interview with TT, which takes place in connection with a conference in Stockholm about anti-Semitism after Hamas' terrorist attack in October last year and which SKMA organizes.
We are a small popular education organization, politically and religiously unbound. SKMA criticizes anti-Semitism regardless of where it occurs, our criticism of the Left Party and SD in recent times is an example of this. The idea that we would enter into a political debate is completely alien to us and our activities.
"Our mission"
The origin was a party leader debate in September. During the debate, SD leader Jimmie Åkesson accused V and S of not taking action against anti-Semitism in the parties. He received support from KD leader Ebba Busch, who believed that the left could learn from Åkesson's work on cleaning up within the party.
In a post on its website, SKMA wrote that SD's own actions against anti-Semitism are not credible and gave examples of individuals within the party who have expressed anti-Semitic views but were still allowed to remain.
SKMA is a small tight organization consisting of researchers who study facts and what happens. It is our mission to establish and highlight that what was said in the debate may not have much to do with reality, says Knutson.
"Pleasant for us"
SD's response did not wait.
"From now on, we regard SKMA as a political actor, whose activities largely consist of influencing public opinion against the Cooperation in general, and the Sweden Democrats in particular," wrote party leader Jimmie Åkesson and several other party leaders in Aftonbladet's debate.
It's clear that I've wondered what lies behind it. If Jimmy Åkesson thinks he and the party have something to gain from it all – and I don't know that, says Knutson to TT.
What Knutson could, however, establish was the effect of SD's statement.
And it was interesting. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson clearly put his foot down and gave us full support. He certified, along with most other party leaders, that SKMA had made significant contributions. It was very pleasant for us.
Anti-Semitism as a club
SD's actions during the debate are, according to Knutson, an example of the polarization that stands in the way of solving the complex problem that anti-Semitism is.
Voice both left and right use it as a club. You can't get away from the temptation to use the club is stronger than the determination to do something about the issues, says Knutson.
Since Hamas' comprehensive terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, left-wing representatives, some in prominent positions, have been exposed for expressing anti-Semitic views and praising terrorist-classified organizations. SKMA has repeatedly criticized the party for this and for not acting quickly enough.
SKMA has also criticized Ebba Busch and Jimmie Åkesson for not being credible advocates against anti-Semitism after debating that SD was better at addressing the problems.
"Åkesson leads a party that not only has roots in Nazism but also includes several representatives at different levels who have expressed anti-Semitic views," wrote Ulrika Knutson after the debate.
SD has responded that SKMA's criticism is a "party trick" and that the institute drives a political agenda. Individual members have also advocated for the financing to be withdrawn, a question that the party does not drive.
