STOCKHOLM – At a meeting today of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Justice Affairs, Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, called on the governments of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland to enhance security measures for Jewish communities.
In his remarks, Lauder emphasized the urgent need for a sustained increase in funding for police protection, in light of rising antisemitism across the region. He strongly emphasized to the ministers that anti-Israel bias and rhetoric are indistinguishable from antisemitism and should be urgently addressed as the source of present-day antisemitism as seen by the Nordic Jewish communities.
“The world is looking to the Nordic countries to set an example in safeguarding liberal democratic values. This should be done for the benefit of all Nordic citizens, as it is a battle of values and civilizations. The Nordic nations are at a pivotal moment when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of their Jewish communities,” Lauder said.
As the United Nations General Assembly commences in New York, Lauder called on the regional governments to stand on the right side of history, adding: “I hope you don’t fall for the lies when anti-Israel proposals come up in the U.N. that don’t even mention the attacks it has suffered. I would hope your country does what is right by voting against them.”
Earlier this month, the World Jewish Congress convened a meeting of the Nordic Jewish Communities to discuss the rise of antisemitism, with a focus on the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks and the need for heightened security for Jewish institutions.
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