Lieberman: Sweden acting like in WWII

Foreign minister slams Scandinavian country's Foreign Ministry for dismissing ambassador's condemnation of newspaper that accused IDF soldiers of transplant organ theft. 'It's a shame Sweden fails to intervene in a case of blood libels against Jews,' he says

Roni Sofer

Published: 08.20.09, 22:35 / Israel News

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday evening slammed the Swedish Foreign Ministry for saying that Swedish Ambassador to Israel Elisabet Borsiin Bonnier's condemnation of a newspaper which accused the Israel Defense Forces of transplant organ theft does not represent the Swedish government's stance.

"It's a shame that the Swedish Foreign Ministry fails to intervene in a case of blood libels against Jews. This is reminiscent of Sweden's stand during World War II, when had failed to intervene as well," Lieberman said.

Next Step?

Barak considers suing Swedish reporter / Roni Sofer

Defense minister instructs security establishment's legal advisor to look into possibility of filing libel suit against reporter of Aftonbladet newspaper, who accused IDF of murdering Palestinians in order to harvest their organs. Barak adds he expects Swedish government to dismiss 'false and outrageous report'

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According to the foreign minister, "The story published this week is a natural continuation of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and blood libels like the Beilis trial, in which Jews were accused of adding Christian children's blood to Passover matzot."

Lieberman plans to submit an official complaint to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt over the Foreign Ministry's dismissal of the Swedish Embassy' condemnation.

He also instructed his office to look into the possibility of revoking the Government Press Office card of the representative of the Aftonbladet newspaper in Israel, and not to help or cooperate with the newspaper on any matter.

According to the foreign minister, "It's a shame that after the Swedish ambassador to Israel did the right thing and condemned the report, clarifying that this newspaper does not represent Sweden in any way or form, the Swedish Foreign Ministry chose to dismiss her statement instead of supporting it.

"The meaning of freedom of press is the freedom to publish the truth, not the freedom to lie and slander. A country which really wants to defend democratic values must strongly condemn false reports that reek of anti-Semitism like the one published this week by the Aftonbladet newspaper."

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