Greetings from Sweden (please get me out of here)

Sweden has turned into a country where one apparently can say just about anything about Israel and/or the Jews – and get away with it.

Considering the growing antisemitism in this country one should pay close attention to any antisemitic slurs.

Let me present to you the Palestinian-Swedish TV personality Gina Dirawi – a very charming young woman, popular amongst the younger generations – famous for hosting this year’s Melodifestivalen – the Swedish selections for the Eurovision Song Contest and undoubtedly the biggest television happening of the year.

Miss Dirawi has over the years caused some commotion by comparing Israel to Hitler. This has been excused by Dirawi being “young and inexperienced”.
She also once wrote (on her blog) about turning the Holocaust Memorial Day into a ‘Memorial Day For Everyone’. “For all those Palestinians killed by Zionists in Israel.”
Just saying.

Although working for Sveriges Television – the Swedish public service television company – (SVT) (not exactly known for their unbiased reporting) this did not stop SVT from handing the highly prestigious Melodifestivalen hostess job to Dirawi, who later appeared with a very forced feeling apology making everything ”fine” again.

A short time ago it was announced that Dirawi will host the show also next year. One might think that a year would have made Miss Dirawi less “young and inexperienced” but last week the popular television star yet again put herself in the eye of the storm, by publishing a picture on her blog; a picture of a book she is reading and apparently wants to promote: Är världen upp och ner? (Is the world upside down?) written by Lasse Wilhelmson. As you may not know this famous anti-semite, let me tell you that it might as well have been “Mein Kampf” in the hands of Dirawi. Apparently this is what the young lady wants her fans to read. And apparently this is okey by SVT. [Screenshot]

SVT (yet again) had a little ‘chat’ with Gina Dirawi and she is now ‘cleared’.

The ‘clueless’ girl has since deleted her post [Screenshot] and offered an apology, saying she ”didn’t know who the writer was”.

Isn’t is nice to hide behind one’s stupidity and time and time again get away with it?

More about what’s going on in this country. Last week on the debate program ”Debatt” (SVT yet again) the debate was about Pillar of Defense. Mr. Pierre Schori was defending Hamas, calling for the ”revoking of the ridiculous terrorist stamp”.

Okey, that was stupid.

But when I heard the Ship to Gaza activist Victoria Strand comparing Hamas to Nelson Mandela I had to turn off the television.

This is what’s going on in Sweden.
And I didn’t even tell you about Hillevi Larsson – the Social democrat who, during Pillar of Defense, accused Israel of “mass murder on civilians”. [Screenshot]
Nor did I tell you about Adrian Kaba (another Social democrat).

To end this post on a positive note I’d like to say that next week there will be a rally/manifestation in Stockholm – for Israel and against media bias – outside the offices of the clearly antisemitic tabloid Aftonbladet.

And yes, I already booked my next ticket to Israel (see you in January!).
Being a pro-Israel blogger in Sweden is exhausting, you see.
One has to get away!

Please help me educate my countrymen about both Israel and the Jews by writing a ’letter’ for my site Letters From Israel.