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Swedish mayor blasts Zionism
Ynet
Published: 28.01.10, 22:58
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31. JEWS MUST DISTANCE THEMSELVES
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (01.29.10)
From Israel ,after all They can always rely on the nice gentle gentiles for protection ,as the last two thousand years have proved...NOT.
32. to 31 in other words
malsa   (01.29.10)
jewishness served zionism but zionism do not serve jewishness ... i think people can keep jewishness away from zionism but zionism can not be kept away from jewishness .. and there was no relation of zionism to holocaust but zionism used it for its target .. i think jews must be safe in any place and in any time its human rights
33. Arik Silverman (Milwaukee):
Robert Haymond ,   Ashdod, Israel   (01.29.10)
It's easy for you to talk poorly about the politicians who initiated Operation Cast Lead from your easychair in Wisconsin but in Ashdod, we were the recipients of Hamas missiles although no where as badly as in Sderot and other southern communities. Most of us on the firing line wished that the government had proceeded earlier and would have applauded it had Hamas been completely demolished. So maybe you'll rethink your chastisement of Israel, show some humility and withold your moral superiority until you too face risk.
34. Malmo Also Hostile to Native Swedes
Christy ,   Boston, MA   (01.29.10)
Use a search engine that will search blogs. Search on Malmo. You should see quite a few blogs reporting about what is happening in Malmo. Read. After looking at some blogs you'll understand why Malmo's mayor is acting this way. As other TBers have stated, the mayor is pandering to his non-native Swedish constituents.
35. Jews must get out of Europe! Islam will destroy it very soon
Eurabia will be ,   destroyed by Islam   (01.29.10)
36. Where can we go?
Jörgen ,   Emmaboda, Sweden   (01.29.10)
I made aliya some 5 years ago, it was a disaster. The quality of life in Israel is still much lower for jews than in Sweden. I moved from Malmö, where i grew up and went to school. There were no problems for jews in Malmö back then. I was raised proud of my jewish roots. Now I live in a small town in a diffrent part of Sweden. I am married to an israeli and so far we have not encountered any problems. The muslim population of our currant town is very tolerant and the swedes are nice and polite. Some of them even went to kibbutz in their youth! We have good jobs here, our kids go to good schools, healthcare is practically free. We have a big house and go on holliday abroad every year. Sweden is more than just Malmö! It is wrong to polarise between muslims and jews. We have many muslim friends here.
37. Greetings from Malmo
Christian ,   Malmo   (01.29.10)
The Muslim part of the population here is something between 15-20% and that is exceptional for Sweden. Many of us native Christians look with horror on what is happening with our once beautiful city and in our dark moments we think of it as a lost city. The Mayor is a leftist but as the Muslim vote now decides who will form the local government both left and right is pandering to the Muslim vote. And it is certainly true that it is not only Jews that abandon our city. As a priest I am used to hear our young families say to me, father, we are going to leave soon. We will miss you a lot, but we don't want our children to grow up here. That can breake your heart. But worst of all is maybe that the leftist leaning leadership of our church looks upon Arafat as a saint. S:t Arafat, indeed! And you have a problem with S:t Pius? I envy you.
38. in what times do we live...
Krzysztof ,   Warsaw, Poland   (01.29.10)
really shocked. But in light of these attacks, really reconsider opinion about Poland.A handful Polish politicians publicly demonstrate love towards Israel. Demos against Cast Lead were minimal. Antisemitic vandalism is ceasing down. After the shameful interview with bishop Pieronek (which was anyway doctored),many talkbackers were expressing shock on the "black" hierarchy.There is a growing interest in Jews, judaism.More and more people with Jewish roots are coming out. So make your statements about Poland more nuanced and updated with recent reality.
39. Award him highest PA Medal of Honour
Nour ,   Palestine   (01.29.10)
40. Agree with nr 36: Where can we go?
Michael Diamant ,   Tel Aviv   (01.29.10)
The thing is that Sweden is a lot more than Malmo, and that majority of jews have very nice lives in Sweden. I made aliya 2 months ago, have a good job and succseded in establishing some routines. But quality of life in Israel is very low compared to Sweden. And it doesnt help that people are rude, try to trick you and give bad service. Aslo education is very bad here (and people dont seem to mind!) Jews should make aliya, but they must know that the tradeoff is huge. I fully understand why people prefer antisemitism to Israel.
41. Why go from Malmo to Israel?
Rich ,   Toronto, Canada   (01.29.10)
That's like going from the frying pan into the fire. There are other places in Sweden which are nicer to live, like Stockholm. I hope he didn't move to Sderot because that's worse.
42. I agree with both #40 and #36 on the culture shock
Ken ,   Stockholm   (01.29.10)
Even though this is not the topic of the actual article, I want to say that I agree more with comment # 40 than # 36 that for someone from the West, everyday life in Israel seems harsh, rude and filthy (unless you are filthy rich or well-connected). I came from Denmark, tried the Israel thing for a while, changed my mind and eventually wound up the land of the cold but calm (and beautiful) Swedes. Here you don't need to struggle nearly as much with bureaucracy, inefficiancy, pollusion, bad service and low salaries. And as for Mister Reepalu: Det är DU som är en varböld!!
43. To #40
Philip ,   Afula, Israel   (01.29.10)
As a young man starting out in work somebody once said to me "your job is what you make it ". Same as living here in Israel,dont forget we still produce Nobel prize winners,most things have improved vastly over the last 45 years.Think clearly , stick around and do your part to make it a more civil society.All new beginnings are difficult.
44. Russia occupies Chechny. Malmo mayor: who cares?
Zvi   (01.29.10)
Clearly just another anti-Semitic demagogue.
45. Why go from Malmo to Israel?
tom ,   toronto, canada   (01.29.10)
why? because israel is the land of the jews, and sweden is the land of the swedes. the second world war should have taught us that europe is at best a place to be from. the percentage of europeans who opposed the holocaust was miniscule, while even those who didn't like it, did nothing to stop it. raoul wallenberg did not act with his government's support. building eretz yisrael is both the best response to anti-semitism and a fulfillment of god's promise - a 2,000 year old idea known as "zionism". that's why.
46. I am Swede and agree with 36.Made Aliyah, returned to Sweden
Aaron ,   Stockholm   (01.29.10)
Malmo is NOT Sweden or is it a representation of Sweden and the majority of talkbackers here are American and base their opinion on Sweden, from what appears to be, headlines and tabloids.. I live a happy Jewish life in Stockholm, my children are being raised Jewish with a fantastic education. We have a excellent standard of living, and lifestyle.. I made Aliyah, but after 4 years decided it was not for me, I am fluent in Hebrew, qualifed lawyer but it was simply not an environment I wanted to be in for the rest of my life. quotes form talkbacks? "the swedes cower in the corner afraid of their muslim poulations"? WTF? Or "A good number of EU states will become Islamic within decades they are afraid of their muslim populations " I mean guys, grow up! There are Swedes here commenting here saying actually its fine, so why are Americans, especially Americans, by the addresses not thinking, well you know what? maybe it isnt fine and the media is warping reality of our opinion on Sweden and Jewish life there. I was in Detroit once, do I base my opinions on America by Detroit?
47. My 6yo child speaks Swedish,English,Hebrew.How many American
Sarah ,   Stockholm   (01.29.10)
American talkbackers can claim that? She learnt these languages in a Jewish school in Stockholm, Jewish education fully paid for by the Swedish government.
48. SWEDEISH LEFTIST !!!.
Arn. ,   SWEDEN.   (01.29.10)
SOCIALISTS NEVER DENIE THEMSELVES BEEING ANTIJEWISH. THE MOST COWARD ONES IS ALWAYS - -THE SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS - !!!. IT IS THE STORY OF - KAIN AND ABEL AGAIN. GOD BLESS YOU ISRAEL !!!. Arn the SWEDE.
49. #37 "Saint Arafat"?
Tahl ,   Ashdod, Israel   (01.29.10)
Unbelievable. You left me speechless here!
50. To #36, 40, 46 Failed Swedish Olim
Alan ,   Israel   (01.29.10)
I made Aliyah from UK and have a great life, earn well, my kids love it here, and I wouldn't move anywhere else. I guess it depends on expectations, and ability to compromise and adapt. A percentage of immigrants to the US from Sweden also return home, so Israel is no different. As for # 40, if you are disappointed that you don't already have the same level of lifestyle as you had in Sweden after just 2 months here, then you may aswell leave now. You won't find any immigrant in any country of the world that achieves that. Give it at least 2 years.
51. Answer to nr 40
Linda ,   Malmö, Sweden   (01.29.10)
Michael, ONE question? What are you waiting for? Suggest you go back to Sweden IMMEDIATELY. Israel does not need spokesmen like you. Go back to wonderful Sweden... I think there is a nice house for sale in Malmo right now....
52. To 40. and 41. You totally miss the point
Michael Diamant ,   Tel Aviv   (01.29.10)
To Mr 40. Failed olim? You mean the majority of western olim? First of all I didnt complain about my personal living standard. I earn well and am extemt from taxes so my netto wage is almost like in sweden. I didnt except my earnings in Israel to be good or that things would be easy. But what most people discover here in israel, and I intend to stay in israel.. is that things arnt different, they are insane. Everything from opening a bankaccount to buying a monthly ticket is a struggle combined with idiocy and lousy service. Things that take 5 minutes in sweden takes hours in israel. Also, in the country of jews.. NO ONE TRUSTS EACH OTHER. Everyone tries to screw you in one way or another. Combined with the filthiness and poor earnings a lot of ideology is needed for you to stay in Israel. To Mr 41 whom live in Malmo.. why dont you try to live in Israel? I promise you that after a visit to the ministry of interior you will almost be an anti-zionist :D
53. To Michael Diamant
Tahl ,   Ashdod, Israel   (01.30.10)
Frankly, I think you're very much exaggerating. There is a bureaucracy here but not much worse than most western countries. People here try to screw each other? What are you talking about? One or two bad experiences certainly don't speak for the entire country. People here do trust each other, and are much, much friendlier to one another than Sweden. Of course there is plenty to be improved here, but saying this makes one into an "anti-zionist" is completely stupid, even as a joke. Anyway, you are not doing any of us a favor by staying here - feel free to go back to antisemitic Sweden at anytime you wish. We really wouldn't care one way or the other.
54. To 53. I wont lie to myself or others
To Tahl ,   Tel Aviv   (01.30.10)
Well Of 6.5 million western jews or more than 10million if you go accorgin to israeli laws of immigration, less than 0.1% make aliya each year and the majority returns. The reasons are the same that I stated. Liying to oneself wont make israel better. But it would be interesting what your explanation is for the poor aliyaperformance.
55. To NOUR
Duchess   (01.30.10)
so you actually condone the actions against innocent civialns in Sweden just because they are Jewish? You agree with violence against civilians and even children in Malmo? I am shocked. And to the point of wanting to reward the mayor with the highest honor???? You are a shame to the human race and sick. How could you want a world like that? SICKO
56. Michael Diamant
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (01.30.10)
If you have exagerated expectations , if you think that you are the only one who needs to be serviced at a Bank , ministry or so , if you hope to have the same standards here , in a couple of months , you had abroad . Then yes , you can be disapointed . But where will you find this warmth of other people towards you ? were will you find so many people ready to help you ? Where will you be at HOME ? בבית ? Only HERE ! I too made Alyah from a Western European country .The poor Alyah performance ? Well for me it's because people are afraid to change their life , people have a job , friends , family , occupations , a house and so on . And to change is difficult .
57. Michael at 54 .
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (01.30.10)
....and the majority returns , You wrote . Can you give your source of info ?
58. MIchael
An immigrant   (01.30.10)
Your post is quite mean and hurtful and perhaps even nasty. Israel is complex, with refugees from all sorts of places and backgrounds and histories. On top of their past, their lives in Israel have been war ridden and terrorized- nearly no family exists that hasn't lost a member to terror, war or security problems or one kind or another. A young country with nothing built itself up quite nicely post bloodbaths of Europe or various arab countries, they came with nothing but a few rags. I am sure if we had no security issues we could focus on huge problems like recycling or waiting politely in line etc. I admit there is plenty place for improvement and I plan on being here to help get there. We do have some amazing achievements. Our medical and technical advances, for such a small, dirty, primitive country are more than impressive. And lastly, but not least, if any Jew anywhere, has to run for his life (unlike those of the holocaust, like those on Exodus for example) there is a dirty, bureaucratic and primitive country waiting for them with a sal klita to help them out, which I assume you got and hopefully returned. There is a place to run. I hope you never will have to, or your children or your grandchildren, but if you or they do, it is because some of us stayed here against all complaints and hardships of all sorts.
59. Ilmar Reepalu
AB ,   Jerusalem   (01.30.10)
Ilmar Reepalu and his fellows will probably succeed where the Nazi's failed- to make Sweden Judenrein BUT he will simultaneously pave the way to the first Muslim, women-discriminating, rasist, dictatorship in Scandinavia
60. To 56, 57 o 58.
Michael Diamant ,   Tel Aviv   (01.30.10)
It is very strange how people inteprent what I say. First of all I dont suffer here. My posts was about why despite all "antisemistism" western jews still dont come to Israel. I came and I intend to stay here. I want to work to make it a better place. But for me its seem so strange why people here dont understand why western jews dont come. So I tell the truth.. and people get uppset. But there are facts.. and the facts are that despite massive promotions and Nefesh b Nefesh and their french counterpart a tiny tiny tiny % make aliya. And many return. If Israel wants aliya from the west.. well these I guess are the obstacles.
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