Artist pastes 'Jew-free' sign in Stockholm
The sticker, which included the German word for Jew, was applied to a shoe store alongside an anti-boycot protest note.
By Robert Marshall ·
A sticker reading 'Jew free zone' was placed on the front of a shoe store in central Stockholm on Saturday. The sign featured the word 'Jew' written in German inside a Star of David. This design mirrors the Nazi term Judenfrei.
The sticker was affixed next to another note from a boycott movement declaring the location an 'Apartheid-free zone.' Dan Park, a Swedish street artist who has a history of public provocations, posted the incident online. Park described his action as a blunt translation of the boycott campaign's underlying meaning.
Park was convicted of incitement against a protected group this past April. His record includes placing a canister labeled 'Zyklon B' next to a swastika outside the Jewish Community Center in Malmö. He has previously been convicted for using Nazi symbols in his work.
The store owner removed both stickers following public backlash. The incident drew swift responses from Israeli and Jewish leaders. Israel's Ambassador to Sweden, Ziv Nevo Kulman, stated that the discussion is abhorrent and shows how normalized antisemitism has become. Kulman argued for zero tolerance in any form.
Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, noted that the Nazis had a specific word for this language. He observed that decades after the defeat of Nazi Germany, such terms are appearing on European storefronts. Roytman argued that hatred of Israel is legitimizing direct attacks on Jews under the guise of political activism.
Social media users criticized the Swedish government for its response to the event. Many accused authorities of being silent or helpless. Critics demanded decisive enforcement measures against street hate rather than tepid condemnations from elected officials.
