The End to Jewish-Muslim conflict in Malmö, Sweden?

ג' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ט

YNET: Religious leaders declare end to Jewish-Muslim conflict in Malmö
Moshe-David HaCohen and Salahuddin Barakat, the heads of the Jewish and Muslim communities in Sweden's third-largest city, will publish joint ad in Friday paper, announcing: 'Jews and Muslims in Malmö stand together in the fight against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and any form of racism and discrimination against minorities.'

Salahuddin Barakat and Moshe-David HaCohen

Itamar Eichner, 06.14.18 

Norway, Sweden, and Finland

The heads of the Jewish and Muslim communities in Malmö, Sweden have decided to turn over a new leaf. On Friday, they will announce the end of the conflict between their two communities.

There are some 80,000 Muslims in Malmö alone, while the whole of Sweden contains around 20,000 Jews. Malmö is home to 2,000 Jews.

But in recent years, Sweden in general and Malmö in particular have seen a spike in anti-Semitic incidents—from harassment and vandalism to violent attacks against members of the Jewish community—leading many Jews to leave.

Anti-Semitism has become an almost daily occurrence in the city, with incidents such as arson at the Jewish cemetery, threats, verbal abuse and objects being thrown at Jews. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Although this is from last summer, it is worth mentioning, and commenting on.

The first thing of note is that no mention is made of who has been perpetrating these anti-Semitic acts? Why is it the Muslim leader involved, and not, say, a Christian leader, unless thee acts have been perpetrated by Muslims? Sure, the "conflict" between Jews and Muslims is alluded to in the title of this piece. But, it purposefully lacks any hint of a value judgment toward one party or the other.

On the other hand, we do know that Muslims are not the only culprits. Needless to say, good ol' left-leaning YNET makes a point of leaving out this crucial fact, either due to not wanting to offend anyone, wanting to maintain its reputation for political-correctness, or just general fear. Or perhaps I should say, due to "Islamophobia." (wink, nudge)

Now, remember, the Oslo "Death" Accords were signed in Norway, and Sweden was where an Arab terrorist, and his "Jewish" counterparts received the Nobel Peace prize. In other words, Scandinavia has not been a great place for Jews.

Oh, sure, many of your will bring up Denmark. The Danish who took possession of Jewish property during World War II, so it would not get confiscated by the Nazi occupying forces. Non-Jewish Danes also ferried many Jews across the sea to "neutral" Sweden.

Of course, no one likes to bring up those Danes who did not turn property back over to Jews after the war, nor those Swedes who turned over Jews landing on Swedish shores.

I cannot emphasize enough the following points:

1. All you have to do is look at the image (right), and you'll understand the first point I want to make. However, I will elaborate.

Besides what we have learned throughout history, and which is recorded in our Holy texts from Genesis through out the Tana"kh (Bible), two Talmudim, midrashim, and latter sources of halakhah, Arabs have been improving their lying capabilities, by learning from the West (Esau), Christians and leftists alike, how to lie differently and more effectively. Saying one thing in English (Swedish, too, I would imagine), and then the opposite in Arabic is old hat for them. The Arab terrorist mentioned above was notorious for this strategy, above and beyond his orchestration of the mass murder of Jews.

2. Sweden, along with every single other land outside of the Land of Israel, is at best a temporary dwelling place for Jews. However, now that the gates have been opened, it is time for all Jews to pick up and move to Israel, and invest their time, money, and energy on the Jewish Homeland, and not the lands of the goyim.

3. But, perhaps most important of all is that so many Jews have forgotten that living in galuth (the exile) is a punishment.

The report concludes with the following:

Rb. Michael Melchior

Rabbi HaCohen and Barakat joinly founded "Amanah: The Jewish and Muslim Trust and Faith Project" in the city.

The two were brought together by The Religious Peace Initiative, headed by former minister Rabbi Michael Melchior. 

Melchior lamented the fact Malmö has made headlines in recent years only in negative connotations and welcomed the joint statement. "This is wonderful news. There is now a spark of hope because of a true and deep connection between the communities," he said.

Well, now we know how the Jewish-Muslim conflict in Malmö ended. Left-wing former MK Rabbi Melchior decided as such. Gee. He never thought to encourage Aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel)?

No doubt, he needs to reread the quote above, attributed to Albert Einstein, as much as anyone else.

Related posts:
European Rabbis: A Liability to the Jewish People?
Why Are Jews Still Living in Malmö, Sweden?

Even the left-leaning YNET News has had what to say about Swedish shenanigans:
Swedish cities use public money to fund anti-Semitism Aug 28, 2018
Molotov cocktails thrown at building in Jewish cemetery in Malmö Dec 11, 2017
Swedish reporter dons kippa and encounters anti-Semitic abuse Jan 24, 2015
Explosion at Malmo Jewish community building Sep 28, 2012
Swedish mayor blasts Zionism Jan 28, 2010

Why Are Jews Still Living in Malmö, Sweden?

כ׳ לחודש שנים עשר תשע״ו

Arutz 7: Malmö Jews offended by actor who cited anti-Semitism
Kim Bodnia, Jewish star of the successful TV series 'The Bridge,' left it because he did not feel safe filming in Malmö.

Gil Ronen, 2/24/2016

A leader of the Jewish Community of Malmö, Sweden, reacted badly when a Jewish TV star revealed he had quit a successful series because of the discomfort he felt when filing in Malmö.

Kim Bodnia, the Danish-Jewish star of the Scandinavian crime drama "The Bridge" ("Broen / Bron" in Danish and Swedish) had said he quit the show in part because he did not feel safe filming in the Swedish town of Malmö.

He left the TV series after two seasons playing police investigator Martin Rohde, and in an interview with Israeli website Walla, said anti-Semitism “is growing, especially in Malmö where we shot it.”

It’s not very comfortable to be there as a Jewish person. So of course this has something to do with why it’s easy for me to say no to working in Sweden," he added.

The Jewish Community of Malmö responded by saying that the Jews have "no interest in being used in a politicized discussion on the situation for us Jews in Malmo," wrote Freddy Gellberg, Deputy Chairman of the Jewish Community of Malmö, in Expressen. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

here,” Peres said at the synagogue. “We never dreamed that state we created would be bigger than Norway, and a pioneer in technology and science."

Norway, Sweden, and Finland

"Being used in a politicized discussion??" Since when is the safe of Jews, nothing more than a politics?


There is not really much else to comment on this report. Contract disputes or not, I say good for Kim Bodnia, and shame on Malmö's Jewish community "leaders."

It is well-known that Malmö is one of Europe's biggest and most problematic, Islamic thorn in its side.

Bosnia and Albania are Europe's Muslim countries, yet they cannot hold a candle Malmö's developing Islamic enclave. Of all countries in Europe, of all cities in Europe, what Jew in his right mind would actually want to remain living in Malmö, Sweden?

Unfortunately, the reaction by the "leader" of the Malmö Jewish Community, to Bodnia's comments was hardly surprising.

Kim Bodnia as
Det. Martin Rohde
in "The Bridge"

Furthermore, ...when [Bodnia was] asked about his religious beliefs in 2011 he said that he has "None, other than that I believe in nature".^[2]

But, the Islamic problem has definitely been building up in Denmark, as well. So, why should Bodnia, one who does not identify religiously as Jewish, be able to see what the Malmö Jewish"leadership" cannot, or does not, want to see? Perhaps Bodnia just has more common sense than they do.

I was born and raised in sunny and multicultural, Southern California, the land of movie stars and suntans. So, I get the appeal of remaining in galuth (exile). But, if the mosque and Muslim owned grocery store, three blocks from my apartment had come even close to showing the signs of Islamic radicalization and local takeover in Malmö, I would have left much sooner than I eventually did.

But, I digress...

Do you know who else apparently has more common sense than the Malmö Jewish "leadership?"

Rabbi Chaim Katz, a former Chief Rabbi of Sweden. Both he and his brother, Rabbi Aharon Katz, one assistant to the Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav Kook, Rabbi Avraham Shapira ztz"l, knew enough to leave, an that Eretz Yisra'el (the Land of Israel) is the homeland of the Jewish People, not Sweden.

Another prominent Scandinavian rabbi did the same, Rabbi Michael Melchior, a former MK (Meimad/Labor). Born in Denmark, Melchior served as Chief Rabbi of Norway.

Once again, we see the Jewish galuth (exile) mentality at its worst.

Let us hope the Jews of Malmö, and elsewhere in Scandinavia wake up, before it is too late. Needless to say, the first step is for them to ignore their so-called "leaders."

European Rabbis: A Liability to the Jewish People?

כ"ט לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ה

PM Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's (Likud) call for mass aliyah (immigration to Israel) of Europe's Jews has been the target of criticism. Political pandering? Propping himself up as the "Mr. Security" candidate? Securing Likud voters for future, if not the current elections? After all, the Left has been accused of doing the same, by recruiting non-Jews in the Former Soviet Union for aliyah, as well as encouraging special status, if not citizen arrangements for foreign workers.

Here is another example of criticism toward the Prime Minister.

YNET: Denmark's chief rabbi 'disappointed' by Netanyahu statement
Associated Press, 02.15.15

Jair Melchior, Denmark's chief rabbi, said he was "disappointed" by Netanyahu's call for immigration following the attack.

"Terror is not a reason to move to Israel," he said.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Although not specifically written as a response to the Danish Chief Rabbi's odd remark, the following comic does fit part of the bill.

Asher Schwartz, The Jewish Press, February 16, 2015

But, how can the Danish Chief Rabbi's "Terror is not a reason to move to Israel," comment be responded to in full? After all, aren't there terror attacks in Israel, just like there are in Denmark, France, England, Belgium, and elsewhere?

And, he is not the only European rabbi who seems to think so.

YNET: European rabbis: We are fighting a battle in our homeland
Following deadly Copenhagen attack, Jewish community leaders warn that Europe's Jews are subject to anti-Semitic persecution and anti-religious legislation, threatening their future in the continent.

Kobi Nachshoni, 02.16.15

The day after the deadly terror attack at a synagogue in Copenhagen, European rabbis described the atmosphere in the continent's Jewish communities as a "battle on terror in our homeland."

European countries' chief rabbis, city rabbis and community leaders warned Sunday that Europe's Jews were subject to anti-Semitic persecution and anti-religious legislation, which prevented them from living a safe Jewish life in the continent.

They once again demanded the continent's leaders increase security around all Jewish institutions. meanwhile, they said they were not taking any risks and were preparing to defend themselves.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, condemned the "horrific terror attack," which he said "is both sickening and a sign of the worsening extremism spreading across Europe."

Criticizing European leaders, Rabbi Goldschmidt said that "the Jewish community in Denmark is a microcosm of what is happening to Jewish communities across the continent. On the one hand they are under attack from extremist Muslims who see every Jew as a legitimate target, on the other hand, freedom of religion is curtailed by the government, religious slaughter has been forbidden and the parliament is in discussions about the future of religious circumcision.

"I truly hope that this latest attack will lead the people of Denmark to rally behind the Jewish community just as they did in 1943, securing the future of the community," he concluded. (cont.)

Our Homeland??!!

This is absolutely disgraceful! There is no excuse for such a comment!

Denmark is not "our homeland." Neither is anyplace else within Europe.

And Rabbi Goldschmidt and rabbis like him pray for the return to Eretz Yisra'el, and the rebuilding of the Holy City of Jerusalem, three times daily??!!

Even though he is correct when he states that "...they are under attack from extremist Muslims who see every Jew as a legitimate target, on the other hand, freedom of religion is curtailed by the government, religious slaughter has been forbidden and the parliament is in discussions about the future of religious circumcision."

And so, his solution is this??

"I truly hope that this latest attack will lead the people of Denmark to rally behind the Jewish community just as they did in 1943, securing the future of the community?"

Rabbi Goldschmidt needs to review his European Jewish history. Otherwise, he is destined to repeat it, and lead European Jews to do the same.

Danes put their Jewish neighbors on boats, and scurried them across the to supposed safety in "neutral" Sweden. But, many of them made it into Nazi hands anyway. Of course, this is all moot, because the ISS, the Islamic State of Sweden is hardly an option.

But, I digress...

Here is the result of the influence of "rabbis" such as Melchior and Goldschmidt. I hope that they are not motivated by concerns over holding onto their prestigious positions. In other words, no Jews left in Europe, no need for European rabbis. I would at least hope they were not as shallow at that, and simply suffered from a self-destructive hasqafah (perspective).

YNET: Denmark's Jews vow to stay as reports name Copenhagen killer as PalestinianDanish Jews, who have historically enjoyed very good relations with fellow countrymen, reject Netanyahu's call for immigration; report says suspected Copenhagen gunman ‘had history of offences', said to be of Palestinian origin. 

News Agencies,  02.15.15 

The man suspected of killing two people in shootings in Copenhagen was identified in several Danish media outlets on Sunday as Omar El-Hussein. Reports in Lebanon said he was the child of Palestinian immigrants from Ain al-Hilweh, a refugee camp in Lebanon... 

...Denmark's small but vibrant Jewish community rebuffed Israel's call to emigrate on Sunday after an attack on Copenhagen's main synagogue that shook the sense of security Scandinavian tolerance had long provided... 

...As in the French case, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Denmark's 2,500 Jews they would be welcome in his country. "Israel is your home," he said in Jerusalem.

"We appreciate the invitation, but we are Danish citizens, this is our country," Dan Rosenberg Asmussen, chairman of the Jewish Society in Denmark, told Reuters as he offered condolences to mourners at the synagogue. (cont.)

Not much I can say about my brothers and sisters in Denmark, except that they are doomed, and that this saddens me.

Jews are supposed to live in Israel, if at all possible, not in Denmark, nor anywhere else in Europe.

In the 1930's and '40's, Rabbi Yissachar Shlomo Teichtel hy"d warned Jews of the dangers of the Nazis, and encouraged them to abandon Europe for a new life in Israel. In his quintessential work Em HaBanim Smeicha, this once anti-Zionist brought countless sources to support that it was not only permissible to immigrate to Israel, but that it was preferable to any other destination.

And, now that gates to Eretz Yisra'el have been opened, and have remained open, ,

Now that the gates to Eretz Yisra'el have been reopened since 1948/תש"ח. Even after countless challenges to our claim to our Homeland, and even to our lives, such as during the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War, its gates have remained open.

There is no excuse for any knowledgeable Jew not [to put forth his best efforts] to live in our true Homeland of Eretz Yisra'el.

Any comic written to follow the one posted above, should say that God gave us instructions as to what to do to defend ourselves while residing in Eretz Yisra'el, but we have not been following them in full. The Israeli Government has favored Western approaches in dealing with our security issues, rather than Torah approach. Instead, we have heeded the concerned of the "international community," not wanting to offend them. Even though our mere existence offends them anyway.

We, the Jewish People, have been suffering the consequences of its actions. Fortunately, Rabbi Teichtal teaches that the power of such individuals, the "non-kosher birds," as he calls them, over Eretz Yisra'el will be temporary,

Nevertheless, this is the difference between the physical dangers of living in galuth and those found while living in Israel.

Eretz Yisra'el is where we are supposed to invest our time, money, blood, sweat, and tears, even our lives, not in Denmark, nor anywhere else in Europe or the rest of the world.