The success of the far-Right party Sweden Democrats in yesterday’s Swedish national elections is just the latest demonstration of the unchecked rise of the extremist Right in Europe, say the European Jewish Congress (EJC).

“Unfortunately, the far-Right is sweeping across Europe and little has been done to retard their growing power,” Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the EJC, said. “This should serve as a wake-up call for Sweden and the rest of Europe.”

“The growth of parties like Sweden Democrats are a danger to the future of Europe.”

In yesterday’s election results, the far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats have become the country’s third largest party with close to 13% of the total vote, more than doubling the 6% they received at the last elections.

“European leaders need to deal forcefully with the challenges it faces, immigration, security, radical Islam and terror,” Dr. Kantor continued. “The answer to these challenges is not hate and racism. We need leaders who will deal with these issues, not leaving the ground fertile for populist slogans but in a meaningful and democratic manner, because it is not just the Jewish community which feels unsafe.”

“We call on the new Swedish government to find answers not based on hate, racism and anti-Semitism, but to maintain and protect religious and minority rights in the country.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)