Jimmie Åkesson, the long-time leader of the Sweden Democrats and a leading figure in Swedish politics who is widely regarded as a strong contender to become the next Swedish prime minister, spoke today in Jerusalem at the Second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism. The conference was initiated by Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli.
In his speech, Åkesson announced a far-reaching political initiative that his party will advance ahead of the upcoming national elections in Sweden.
“Today, for the first time, I can announce that my party, the Sweden Democrats, will take the lead in reintroducing a Swedish national terror list—to combat the financing of terrorism and to fight horrific ideologies that do not belong in Sweden and have no place in any civilized country,” said Åkesson.
“The need for such a list arises from the sad fact that the European Union is too weak and too indecisive to handle this matter properly. There is an EU terror list, but it is far from effective and far from complete. Such a list would cover all kinds of terror organizations, but it is particularly relevant to the fight against antisemitism. Not least because two of the most urgent movements that must be banned under a Swedish terror designation are Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Muslim Brotherhood—both deeply antisemitic and dangerous organizations. We will advance this proposal ahead of the upcoming elections this fall.”
If the Sweden Democrats assume government responsibility after the elections, such a move would mark a clear shift in Swedish security and counter-terrorism policy.
The Second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism continues today at the Jerusalem International Convention Center on International Holocaust Remembrance Day under the title “Generation of Truth.” The aim of the conference is to raise global awareness of antisemitism and to strengthen international dialogue and cooperation in order to confront the growing threat worldwide.
Among the high-profile participants and speakers at the conference are Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; Sebastian Kurz, former Chancellor of Austria; Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia; Mariano Cúneo Libarona, Minister of Justice of Argentina; Flávio Bolsonaro, Brazilian Senator and presidential candidate; as well as Eduardo Bolsonaro, member of the Brazilian Parliament.
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