Controversial Torah Burning Plan in Sweden Abandoned, Easing Tensions

US antisemitism envoy Deborah Lipstadt has condemned Sweden's approval of a demonstration where activists plan to burn a Torah and a Christian Bible, stating that it will create an environment of fear and impact the freedom of religion for Jews and other religious minority groups in Sweden. Jewish groups and others have expressed outrage over the approval, drawing a direct line to Europe's history of anti-Jewish hatred. The European Jewish Association and the European Jewish Congress have strongly condemned the act, while the Anti-Defamation League in the US called it a "repulsive act that instills fear & incites hate." Israeli officials have called on Swedish authorities to prevent the burning, and Jewish organizations have urged Sweden to take necessary steps to halt the demonstration and counter antisemitism.