JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Sweden was never one of Israel’s overt supporters but a shocking event due to take place in Stockholm will place the relations between the two countries in serious jeopardy. Swedish anti-Israel supporters plan to demonstrate opposite the Israeli embassy in the country in protest over Israeli policies. As part of their protest, the demonstrators have issued an official request to burn a Sefer Torah during the course of the demonstration, according to a report by Israel’s Reshet Bet.
Swedish police are considering acceding to the horrific request, claiming that it is protected under freedom of speech. The same police force allowed a similar demonstration to take place opposite the Turkish embassy last week in which the Quran was burnt after an official request was made.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said in response that “I think this is a shocking thing. There is a difference between freedom of speech and freedom to desecrate and burn. We don’t need a reminder to the famous quote that “where they burn books they will burn people.” I expect the Swedish government to intervene and prevent this horrendous event. I will contact the Swedish ambassador to the UN and express my condemnation of this event.”
The event could lead to a crisis in relations between the two countries and the tensions could reach the highest diplomatic levels.
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