Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Decries Rising Antisemitism After Australian Attack

In the wake of the December 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 people at a Chanukah event, Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch warned that the spread of "globalize the intifada" rhetoric can lead to dangerous outcomes. She emphasized that rising antisemitism worldwide makes even wearing a Star of David risky, and affirmed Jews’ right to safety in Sweden. Since her remarks, conditions for Sweden’s roughly 20,000-strong Jewish community have deteriorated, with a Union of Jewish Youth survey revealing 90% of respondents perceive campus safety has worsened since October 7 and 70% lack confidence in societal institutions to protect them.

Antisemitic symbols appeared at a July 2025 anti-Israel rally in Umeå, featuring mannequins in concentration-camp attire and inflammatory slogans. Analysts cited a correlation between Islamism and growing antisemitism, noting that Muslims now constitute the second-largest religious group in Sweden, with estimates of 810,000 adherents. Politicians such as Mohamsson have accused left-wing parties of supporting extremist groups, while media figures have amplified antisemitic narratives.