"I am outraged by the attack on the synagogue in Gothenburg yesterday and that violence against Jews was incited at a demonstration in Malmo. There is no place for anti-Semitism in Swedish society. The perpetrators must be held to account. All democratic forces must now work together to build a tolerant and open society in which everyone feels safe," Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in a statement on Sunday, commenting on the recent attack on a synagogue in the city of Gothenburg and an anti-Jewish rally in the city of Malmo.
The statement comes after a group of masked people firebombed a synagogue in Sweden's second-largest city, Gothenburg, on Saturday, with noone being injured in the incident and the fire being quickly extinguished. On the same day, Malmo, Sweden's third biggest city, witnessed an anti-Semitic rally. The Jewish Agency for Israel spokesperson Avi Mayer has expressed his concern over the events in Sweden.
READ MORE: Jewish Agency for Israel Alarmed Over Growing Anti-Semitic Sentiment in Sweden
The recent anti-Jewish sentiments have been fueled in the wake of the announcement of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv, which has prompted a negative reaction of Muslims worldwide.
On December 10, President Emmanuel Macron urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate with the Palestinians on the controversial US decision, after Israel's top official had urged the Palestinians to agree that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish state, claiming that the sooner they "come to grips with this reality," the faster the sides would move toward a peace settlement.
READ MORE: Netanyahu Calls on Palestinians to Agree Jerusalem is 'Israel's Capital'
The international community believes that the status of East Jerusalem, a holy site for three religions, should be determined based on an agreement with the Palestinians, who seek to create their own state with the capital in the Holy City.
