Jimmie Åkesson faces criticism over use of Jewish book in political video

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson is facing criticism following the release of a political video addressing Islamism. The video, published on August 13, features Åkesson speaking about the impact of Islamism on Sweden.

Controversy arose when Gustav Kasselstrand, leader of Alternative for Sweden, highlighted a detail in the footage showing Åkesson holding a book titled ‘Stolt jude – om judiskt liv i Sverige’ (Proud Jew – about Jewish life in Sweden). The book was published by the Jewish Youth Federation in Sweden in collaboration with Hillel Publishing.

The Jewish Youth Federation has issued a sharp rebuke, stating that Åkesson is using their book and the Jewish minority as ‘political weapons’ in his rhetoric against Islam. The organization expressed that they do not support this use of their material and urged the Sweden Democrats to stop ‘exploiting Jews in your political game.’