By Smartencyclopedia Staff
According to a report from Sweden’s national radio broadcaster, Swedish authorities have given approval for a protest to take place outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, involving the burning of Torahs and Bibles.
The individual who requested permission to hold the public gathering on Saturday has been granted the necessary authorization. This decision has been strongly condemned by the European Jewish Congress (EJC).
EJC President Ariel Muzicant expressed outrage, describing such acts as provocative, racist, antisemitic, and deeply offensive.
Muzicant emphasized that these actions disrespect religious and cultural sensitivities, and send a clear message of unwelcome disrespect towards minorities.
He further criticized the Swedish authorities for allowing these acts under the guise of free speech, calling it a disgrace to Sweden and a failure of any democratic government worthy of its name.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the decision made by the Swedish authorities. He denounced the permission granted to burn holy books, drawing attention to the fact that as the President of Israel, he had previously condemned the burning of the Quran, a sacred text for Muslims, and expressed his sadness that now a Jewish Bible, the eternal book of the Jewish people, would meet a similar fate.
In a separate incident at the end of June, a man burned a copy of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm, leading to violent protests at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.
At that time, Swedish police justified their decision to permit the protest by citing the right to freedom of speech. A police permit obtained by CNN last month explained that the security risks and potential consequences associated with burning the Quran were not sufficient grounds, according to current law, to reject the application for the demonstration.
The permit acknowledged that Quran burnings pose an increased risk of a terrorist attack and could have foreign policy implications. However, it stated that for security concerns to justify denying a public gathering, there must be a clear connection between those concerns and the planned event or its immediate vicinity.
Source: With Agencies