Jews and sympathizers march against anti-Semitism in Sweden

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Several hundred Jews and their supporters marched in the southern city of Malmö on Saturday to bring attention to intolerance and anti-Semitic attacks in the Nordic country.

Malmö, which has a large immigrant Muslim community, saw a surge in hate crimes against Jews after Israel’s invasion of Gaza in 2009.

Some of those participating in the Saturday walk wore the traditional kippa cap that Jewish men traditionally wear.

The march passed without incident, and Willy Silberstein of the Swedish Committee Against Anti-Semitism, which organized the event, described it as a success.

“It was impressive. There was much more people than we expected,” he said, adding that most of the participants were not Jewish.

Sweden’s minister for EU affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson, took part in the march and said in her speech that Malmo was a city open to all regardless of background or beliefs.

In recent years Sweden’s government has come under criticism for failing to provide adequate protection to the country’s small Jewish community and address the issue of anti-Semitism. Last year, however, it earmarked more funds for this purpose.

An estimated 20,000 Jews live in Sweden.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.