A Swedish radio apologized after shocking listeners when the journalist questioned Israel’s ambassador to Sweden about the responsibility of Jews for anti-Semitism, in the wake of the Copenhague shooting at a synagoge last Sunday.
The journalist from public Sveriges Radio (SR) asked Ambassador Isaac Bachman on air: "Are Jews themselves responsible for the progression of anti-Semitism?"
The ambassador appeared shocked by the question and replied: "I purely and simply reject the question."
When the journalist asked "Why?", Bachman said: "There was no reason to ask this question."
The station later removed the programme from its online archive and issued a full apology.
"We offer our fullest apologies for this question. It was misleading and put blame on individuals and on a vilified group," the radio management said in a statement.
"The Jewish community has suffered a horrible act of terror and has all our sympathy," the statement added.
The ambassador was interviewed by Helena Groll, who opened the interview with a question regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements inviting Jews to move to Israel in the wake of attcks against Jews in Europe.
The ambassador explained that his “job is not to convince the Jewish population to move to Israel. People know that Aliyah is an option that is valid, one that exists and is open to them at any time.”
According to Bachman, “I don’t think the journalist really had any idea that what she was asking was problematic. Her question was reflective of a particular view that is, unfortunately, widespread.”
Once the public heard the interview, an uproar ensued that has resulted in apologies from Swedish media and public officials.
A Swedish MP, Hanif Bali, called the controversial question on the responsibility of Jews “disgusting and despicable,” posting on Facebook that “Jews bear responsibility for anti-Semitism is one of the oldest expressions of anti-Semitism. Public Service, yeah right.”